Peter Park Discusses Ken Roczen’s Training Program Ahead of 2025 AMA Supercross Championship
As the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship looms just around the corner, set to kick off on January 11th, all eyes are on the athletes who will battle it out for the prestigious title. One of the most anticipated riders is Ken Roczen, a seasoned veteran who has consistently been a formidable force in the sport. With his combination of skill, consistency, and mental toughness, Roczen remains a fan favorite and a title contender. However, what truly sets him apart from his competitors is his commitment to training—an area where Peter Park, Roczen’s trainer, has played a crucial role in his preparation for the upcoming season.
Peter Park is no stranger to the world of motocross, having worked with elite athletes for years, shaping their bodies and minds to meet the extreme physical demands of motocross racing. His approach to training is both holistic and scientifically driven, making him one of the most respected trainers in the sport. In a recent discussion, Park shared insights into the specific training program he has crafted for Roczen, emphasizing how it’s been tailored to help the German rider overcome past challenges, improve his performance, and ultimately challenge for the 2025 title.
#### Understanding Roczen’s Challenges and Goals
Ken Roczen has faced a tumultuous career, with injuries and setbacks often forcing him to fight back harder than ever. His road to recovery from a series of arm injuries over the past few years has been long, but his determination has kept him in the mix for top-tier finishes. In 2024, Roczen finished 5th in the overall standings, but his potential to win championships remains undeniable.
Peter Park’s first task when working with Roczen was to understand not only his physical limitations but also his psychological approach to racing. According to Park, Roczen is an athlete who thrives on mental toughness and perseverance. However, managing his past injuries and maintaining peak physical fitness has required a unique approach to his training regimen.
“We’ve had to be very strategic about his training,” Park explains. “Ken has always been driven, but his body has faced a lot of adversity. Our focus has been on building strength, endurance, and mobility, but with the understanding that he’s coming off some tough injuries. So, the balance has been crucial—he needs to feel confident in his body while ensuring that he doesn’t push too hard too soon.”
#### A Multifaceted Approach: Strength, Mobility, and Endurance
Roczen’s training program under Peter Park’s guidance focuses on three core components: strength, mobility, and endurance. These elements are all interconnected, ensuring that Roczen can perform at a high level throughout the grueling demands of the Supercross season, while minimizing the risk of injury.
1. **Strength Training**
Strength is foundational to motocross, but the emphasis on strength isn’t just about bulking up muscles—it’s about creating a functional, efficient body that can withstand the forces exerted during races. Park integrates a variety of strength-building techniques into Roczen’s regimen, including resistance training, explosive power drills, and functional exercises. These exercises mimic the movements required on the track, focusing on the core, upper body, and legs.
“Motocross isn’t just about brute force,” Park notes. “It’s about having control, balance, and agility. For Ken, we’re focusing on compound lifts like deadlifts, squats, and cleans, but also making sure that we don’t neglect upper-body strength, which is critical when you’re riding for hours at a time and absorbing shocks from the track.”
2. **Mobility and Flexibility**
Given Roczen’s history of arm and joint injuries, mobility work has become an essential part of his training program. Flexibility isn’t just about performing well in the moment; it’s about maintaining a long career and preventing overuse injuries. Peter Park incorporates dynamic stretching, yoga, and specific mobility drills that keep Roczen’s joints fluid and improve his range of motion.
“We’ve spent a lot of time working on mobility exercises for Ken’s arms, shoulders, and back,” Park says. “A lot of motocross riders tend to neglect this aspect of training, but it’s critical for injury prevention, especially when you’re pushing your body to the limit. With Ken, we focus a lot on shoulder mobility to ensure that he can absorb shock from the bike without putting unnecessary stress on his body.”
3. **Endurance Training**
Supercross races demand extreme cardiovascular endurance, and Park has structured Roczen’s program to build this stamina. While it’s easy to assume that only track time builds endurance, Peter Park insists that road cycling, running, and swimming are also integral components of Roczen’s aerobic conditioning. These activities are low-impact but highly effective for increasing cardiovascular capacity, which can be the difference-maker when racing deep into the main event or during long, punishing motos.
“We can’t simulate race conditions exactly, but we can build Ken’s base fitness to help him endure the physical demands,” Park states. “Endurance is crucial, especially when the races get longer and the intensity of the track increases. Ken needs to be able to push for 20 laps without losing form.”
#### Mental Preparation: Visualization and Focus
The mental side of Roczen’s training is just as important as the physical. Park works closely with Roczen to develop mental toughness strategies, including visualization and focus techniques that help Roczen remain calm and confident under pressure.
“Ken has always been a mentally tough rider, but we’ve incorporated more mental training into his routine in the lead-up to the 2025 season,” says Park. “Visualization is a big part of it—Ken visualizes each lap, each corner, and each jump to mentally prepare himself. We also do focus drills that help him stay sharp during the heat of battle.”
#### Looking Ahead to 2025
As the 2025 Supercross season begins in January, Peter Park is optimistic about Roczen’s potential. With his tailored training regimen, Roczen has been able to address weaknesses, maintain his strength, and push through the physical challenges that have plagued him in previous seasons. Park believes that the combination of Roczen’s natural ability and his relentless work ethic will make him a serious contender for the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship.
“We’ve put in the work, and Ken is in a good place heading into the season,” Park concludes. “He’s focused, healthy, and ready to challenge for the title. The next step is to execute under pressure and stay consistent throughout the season. I’m excited to see how he performs.”
As the AMA Supercross Championship begins, the motocross world will undoubtedly be watching Ken Roczen and his journey through the 2025 season. With the support of a tailored, multifaceted training program and a clear focus on both physical and mental preparation, Roczen is well-positioned to compete at the highest level and potentially claim the championship that has eluded him in recent years.
