by Aaron Hansel
250 Words: Washougal
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 | 10:10 AM
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Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin came into the 2011 season surrounded by a lot of hype, and for good reason. He was fresh off of his second consecutive MX2 World Championship, and there was no reason to believe that once he got accustomed to the American way of doing things, he wouldn't be able to provide KTM with the same kind of results Stateside as he did in the GPs. Unfortunately, after taking fifth in the first National of his career at Hangtown, he suffered a broken hand at Freestone that would erase all titles hopes that year.
Fast forward to 2012. The excitement and splendor that once belonged to Musquin now largely surrounded another hot young prospect from Europe in the form of Ken Roczen, the latest MX2 World Champ. Also dulling Musquin’s luster was the fact that shortly before the beginning of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, he had once again broken the very same bone in his hand that he had nearly a year before in Texas. The injury was reflected in his results. While top fives are great, he wasn’t anywhere near the lead pack of Blake Baggett, Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac and Roczen.
Musquin lead early in the first moto at Washougal, but had to settle for fourth overall on the day.
Carl Stone photo
At Washougal, Musquin turned things around in a big way. He was the fastest qualifier, he led the first moto for eleven of sixteen laps and finished third. In the second moto, he worked his way into third and held the position for eight laps despite heavy pressure from Tomac, who eventually made the pass. Musquin’s 3-4 finishes earned him fourth overall. No, it’s not a win or a podium finish (although on a different day, those same scores could have easily earned a better overall), but he did get in there and mix it up with the 250 fliers for an extended period of time. He also finished in front of his teammate (Ken Roczen) in both motos. It’s a huge step in the right direction for the friendly Frenchman, and it makes you wonder if he’s ready to start bringing that same level of speed to the races every weekend. If so, it won’t be long before Musquin finally starts producing the kind of results that he was capable of before getting hurt at the beginning of the 2011 season.
Fast forward to 2012. The excitement and splendor that once belonged to Musquin now largely surrounded another hot young prospect from Europe in the form of Ken Roczen, the latest MX2 World Champ. Also dulling Musquin’s luster was the fact that shortly before the beginning of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, he had once again broken the very same bone in his hand that he had nearly a year before in Texas. The injury was reflected in his results. While top fives are great, he wasn’t anywhere near the lead pack of Blake Baggett, Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac and Roczen.
Musquin lead early in the first moto at Washougal, but had to settle for fourth overall on the day.
Carl Stone photo
At Washougal, Musquin turned things around in a big way. He was the fastest qualifier, he led the first moto for eleven of sixteen laps and finished third. In the second moto, he worked his way into third and held the position for eight laps despite heavy pressure from Tomac, who eventually made the pass. Musquin’s 3-4 finishes earned him fourth overall. No, it’s not a win or a podium finish (although on a different day, those same scores could have easily earned a better overall), but he did get in there and mix it up with the 250 fliers for an extended period of time. He also finished in front of his teammate (Ken Roczen) in both motos. It’s a huge step in the right direction for the friendly Frenchman, and it makes you wonder if he’s ready to start bringing that same level of speed to the races every weekend. If so, it won’t be long before Musquin finally starts producing the kind of results that he was capable of before getting hurt at the beginning of the 2011 season.
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Where is EuroMike been hiding?? LMAO!!
.MM is getting better but Roczen seems to be going backwords the last few weeks. The guys are going SO FAST this year its nuts!!
glad to see MM having a good weekend. always like to hear him on the interviews, just seems like a good kid.
love seeing more of the Euros over here. Give them a year to figure things out and if they stay healthy, I think they'll be winning more races. MM and KR
When in the TV interview MMMMMarvelousMarvin said "i need to get better" I really started to like that guy....no excuses ... genuinely enjoys racing ,clean rider, and getting better...hope he does...the top 3 are MMMMMovin..........
Those World Champs are certainly fast, but they're racing against Americano's now! Can you imagine if Deano and Durham were in the mix!!
Once again no orange riders make the box. KTM should invest in some AMERICANS for 250 class!
@ jgbvr-
Have you been watching the races this summer? Roczen's been on the box plenty of times. Both him and MM are doing fine for their first full seasons outdoors here in the states.
Marv aint made a podium yet fool! Ken aint done better than 2nd and there WORLD champs? Get there balls out your mouth motoman!
Im talking overalls,not motos man!
By the way Ive been to every natty this summer so thanks coutch racer!
jgbrv...Whats the problem??
You rite im sorry guys
@Aaron Hansel; Nice acknowledgement to Musquin. His interview between Moto's was very humbling. It has to be humbling to race somewhere else in the world your entire life and then be thrown to the wolves of the U.S. contingent.
I have great respect for both Marvin Musquin, Roczen and any previous GP Champions and/or riders who come across the proverbial pond to test the foreign waters.
Great observations, Aaron!
Musquin is funny in his interview's He goes on and on and on LOL lot's of detail!!! most guys just want to go back to the pit's but he keeps on talkin!!!
Marvin is starting to look like we expected him to, fast and smooth!! I like his low key attitude, not a rock star like Roczen, just a hard working kid trying to make a living racing his dirt bike..Wish him all the best!!!
Remember last year when some GP fans on here were making comments about GP riders "dominating" US races.
@jgbvr....too late for i'm sorry big mouth!! You have already presented yourself as a smart ass punk!!!!
If you really know Please wheigh in. How much of the 250 class is about the speed of the bike and how much is rider.PS Love the Erous coming here proves what I have allways believed. American mx is KING
yes all great guys but when they interview and the girl ask them a specific question there is never an answer..........Just answer the question already!!!!!
I like both MM and KR......just wish they were 5% faster ? lol
OK, maybe 3%
Man I am stoked that the European riders are coming to the U.S.! I'm a big fan of KROC- but I've always disliked frenchies- that being said, I really like MM! Cool cat, great riding style. The Europeans are so nice on the podium- yet very honest! Like the professionalism-
Unfortunately- I now have to listen to Purcell all next year trying to form an articulate and concise sentence- so that will suck! If he makes it to the box-
The 250 class this year has been insane- makes up for the snoozefest 450 class.
@firstordirt- I think the 250 class is an extreme balance between power to weight ratio, Barcia, Tomac, KRoc and Baggett are on extremely fast bikes, but when one guy is 30 lbs lighter- makes a huge difference- especially up HP Hill.
@BD25- K Roc is just as "Rock Star" as Bam Bam- but without all the crying and boo hooing
@BillC- he goes on and on, which is polite I guess, but nothing compared to ultra long winded Allessi! Damn!!!!!
@jgbvr- Dude! Must be nice to go to every national! What? You don't work for a living? Or got a sugar mama? Either way- kudos to you man. I'm jealous.
@knobbywan- Durham maybe- Deano no way! Too big! Too heavy- same problem Tomac and Barcia are having- power to weight no good.
I really like MM humble and straight forward as opposed to whiney excuses from KR, He is improving each time out
When is the super awesome unbeatable american riders just gonna go over to the GP:s and just kick the shit out of them and win by just putting the bike out on the the track? I mean that is all you need, at least listening to some of the guys writing here saying the the GP champs are pretty much terrible...if you read behind the lines...
Good thing Starvin' Marvin is getting closer to the podium, but a whole season without a single win would still be a source of disappointment.
KR being unable to win is litterally a massive setback.
Both must have been surprised by the level of adversity (incredible how fast guys likeBaggett, Tomac and Barcia can be) as well as the tracks that are so much more challenging that most GPs...
Still, you can rely on them to be more efficient in Lommel for the MXDN.
Yes i guess i am a jerk sometimes.Maybe i just got sick of hearing how KTM was gonna win all summer and i love that the u.s.a. boys havent let them win even one moto! i have G.P. dvds from wen KR and MM were still there and all you hear is "there the 2 fastest mx2 guys in the world" SO WHATEVER IM OVER IT
Watched the interviews this time..and I honestly don't know what you guys are talking about as for kenny is concerned. The guy was more honest than MM in my opinion. He said there a wall he couldn't climb over. That tells you 1. he's trying as hard as he can 2. He has not figured something out yet....One thing I appreciate about KTM is that they keep their adverts for advertising, and allow their riders to talk about the race. FAR more interesting than the japanese based riders. Say what you want..but its so rare that they 'get real' on the camera. Bagget gave some interesting ones when he was struggling in SX, Tomax dissing Washougal track as one lined...those are examples, and whilst they do open up on occasions, it remains the exception.
This year...the speed is simply insane. I dont care where they come from, whether they are American or from Mars, these guys rule. All of them. The speed which they are riding right now...is hard to appreciate on these shows. Think im gonna have to come to a des nations in the states....(even though I doubt they are as crazy as the Euro des nations events)