Ken Roczen made his KTM debut in the U.S. recently, today releasing the world first images. Image: Garth Milan.

Red Bull Teka KTM Racing has sent out a world first look at Ken Roczen training in the United States after his new contract was confirmed on 1 January.

Roczen, one of the youngest and most exciting MX2 talents to emerge in recent years, takes his place in the team in time to compete in the opening races of the AMA Supercross Lites West Coast competition.

The 16-year old German racer made a great impression on the MX2 World Championship in 2010 to finish in second place behind his now KTM teammate Marvin Musquin.

After warming up in the AMA Supercross competition, Roczen will return to Europe to race alongside teammate Jeffrey Herlings as the Red Bull Teka KTM Factory Team fields two of the best young riders in the MX2 World Championship.

To further sharpen his already impressive skills, Roczen has been in the USA training with the orange lineup under the guidance of Roger DeCoster – new boss of KTM’s U.S. operation.

Roczen first sat on a motocross bike at just two and a half years old and rode his first race at three.

Sources indicate that Roczen has been quick in Supercross testing in California. Image: Garth Milan.

Born in 1994, he first entered the racing record book in Germany when he won the German Outdoor Junior competition in 2000 and 2001.

He won the ADAC MX Junior Cup in 2006 and was second in the Junior Worlds in the same year. One year later he claimed the Junior World championship title and was firmly on the radar of the talent spotters for senior competition.

Even racing only part of the season because of the age limit restriction in 2009, he still finished in fifth place.

Then in 2010, he turned up the gas to take 10 victories in the MX2 world championship to finish second behind Musquin in what was a closely fought battle right down to the final races.

Roczen will be ‘Ready to Race’ in true KTM style when competition gets underway with the opening races of the AMA Supercross season this month.