Image: Octopi Media.

The odds keep stacking against Ken Roczen in his fight for the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross title, revealing he was diagnosed with shingles last Sunday.

Roczen has been battling a virus throughout much of the month in Salt Lake City, falling to third in the 450SX standings as a result.

Wednesday’s 14th round of the season was an improvement for Roczen in finishing fifth, however, despite learning that he had shingles in the lead-up. He’s vowed to keep challenging through the final three rounds.

“As everyone knows, I have been dealing with the virus for a while now and it also turned out I tested positive for shingles last Sunday,” he explained.

“I know everyone is sick of hearing it and so am I. Unfortunately those are things I can’t control. I can assure you I am doing my part to be ready, live healthy and doing all the things I can control.”

Team Honda HRC rider Roczen is currently third in the points coming into this Sunday’s SLC5, but faces an uphill climb now 27 points outside of red plate-holder Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki).

“Coming back after two days of trying to get everything lined up again following a tough race, I had a lot more fight and felt a lot better today,” he said following Wednesday’s race.

“I had a good heat and was able to put up a fight at least for some of the race. I’m not 100 percent yet obviously, because two days unfortunately is just not enough to get everything lined up, but it was much better than the last race.”