Ken Roczen has attributed consistency as the key to finishing runner-up at Saturday night’s opening round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in what eventuated as a rain-soaked encounter.

The Honda HRC talent, who’s overcome significant arm injuries in the last two seasons of supercross, put on a stellar display in the deteriorating conditions, negotiating his way into second by the conclusion of the 20-lap affair.

It’s a strong start for the German ace as he endeavours to secure his first premier class title in the discipline, and with a heat race win also to his name, he’s departing round one with strengthened confidence.

“It’s good to get out of here healthy and with a solid podium,” Roczen explained. “The conditions were tough – they can obviously play in your favour but they can also bite you bad. For about half of the main, we were still jumping the big doubles in the middle but it was definitely sloppy and sketchy out there.

“It was really all about consistency. There were ruts everywhere so you had to try not to make any mistakes. Once we got into the lappers that’s when it got really bad. I got held up a couple times, which cost me time. I’m pumped though – I’m leaving with a heat race win and second in the main, so I couldn’t have asked for a better first race.”

Anaheim served up a number surprises in the 450SX category, with Justin Barcia (Monster Energy Yamaha) capturing his first main event victory since 2013. Round two of the series will visit Glendale in Arizona this weekend.