MUSQUIN EARNS FIRST US 250 MOTOCROSS PODIUM
published at 09/06/2011
Red Bull/KTM Factory team rider Marvin Musquin earned his first career U.S. AMA Pro Motocross podium finish at the eleventh round of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship Series at Steel City Raceway.
Musquin felt good from the start of the day at Steel City. Despite dealing with the hot temperatures and high humidity levels Musquin turned the 2nd fastest lap in timed qualifying to earn a great gate pick for the main event. At the gate drop of moto one he came around the first corner in 7th position. He quickly climbed to 6th place by the end of the first lap. Once in 6th, he set his sights on the 5th place ride of Tyla Rattray. He spent the next few laps closing in on Rattray and began to set up for the pass. Once around Rattray he pulled forward farther and began to catch Ryan Sipes. One lap later he had moved into 4th position and began to move toward a podium finish. With a few laps remaining he managed to catch and pass Justin Bogle to move into 3rd place. He finished the moto strong and held on to earn his first career podium.
His strategic thinking paid off as he got the jump off the line in moto two and took the holeshot around the first corner. He was passed by Dean Wilson and Eli Tomac in the second corner but remained in 3rd position. He continued to hold that place throughout the remainder of the moto to double his first moto finish with another repeat podium spot. His 3-3 moto results earned him 3rd overall for the day marking his first U.S. career podium.
Marvin Musquin: “I was very happy with my first moto finish but I know that it could have been closer if I had a better start. We looked at a few lines and prepared for moto two with a new starting strategy. It feels so good to finally get on the podium. It has been a tough year with two injuries and to be back up here fighting in the top three is exactly what I have been working toward. I also like the Pala track so I hope to repeat a podium there.”
250 Motocross Results
1. Dean Wilson (GB), Kawasaki
2. Eli Tomac (USA), Honda
3. Marvin Musquin (F), KTM
4. Tyla Rattray (ZA), Kawasaki
5. Gareth Swanepoel (ZA), Yamaha
250 Motocross Standings after 11 of 12 rounds
1. Wilson, 488 points
2. Rattray, 436
3. Blake Baggett (USA), Kawasaki, 427
4. Tomac, 290
5. Kyle Cunningham (USA), Yamaha, 283
Other KTM
15. Musquin, 141 (missed 5 rounds due to injury)
Next and also last round: September 10, 2011 – Pala Raceway/California (USA)
Marvin Musquin on the KTM 250 SX-F at Steel City (USA).
First podium for Marvin Musiquin in the 250 class of the AMA Motocross Championship 2011.
