by Davey Coombs
250 Words: Unadilla
Monday, August 20, 2012 | 11:15 AM
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PrintImagine how hard the last two years have been on Marvin Musquin. After winning two straight MX2 FIM World Championships in Europe, Musquin came to America to pursue his dream of one day winning a championship here. But after almost two full years on the circuit, he had yet to win so much as a moto, let alone an overall, in Lucas Oil Pro Motocross. His frustrations covered Monster Energy Supercross as well, as he missed all of 2011 with an injury and then failed to get a win in 2012.
That all began to change on Saturday at Unadilla when the ever-polite and smiling Musquin emerged as the surprise winner on a day filled with ups and downs by the competition. In going 2-3 for the Unadilla National win, Marvin showed poise, speed, and staying power all day long—a combination main championship contenders Blake Baggett, Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac, and Ken Roczen could not maintain.
A long-awaited return to victory lane for the Marv Attack.
DC photo
Was it the track? Possibly, as Unadilla was the roughest I've ever seen. Was it the cool weather? Maybe—after Roczen and Musquin went 1-2 in the first moto, one of the KTM people asked me if all the motos could somehow be held in cooler temperatures like we had in New York. Or was it simply having a plan, working hard, and sticking to it, which is what Musquin appears to have driving him? There were guys going faster than the #38, like his teammate Roczen, the very young and wild Zach Bell, and the inconsistent Tomac and Barcia, but none could maintain that speed all day long. Musquin seemed content to let the race come to him, though he nearly lost the overall when he slowed down toward the end of the second moto and was almost overtaken for third by GEICO Honda's Justin Bogle.
Even though he didn't win a moto, the smile and pride on Musquin's face after the moto showed relief and satisfaction in a job well done. He won't win the championship this year, but at least he's winning again, after two very long years away from the winner's circle.
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What a day for Red Bull KTM!
Congrats to Marvin (much easier to like than CP377) and Kenny, too, on his first moto win. Also, nice to see Baggett not tossing it away and staying consistent. (Losing four points of his lead on an “off day” isn't bad.)
Question: If Geico’s newest rider is “the very young and wild Zach Bell,” what does that make JS7?
And can we PLEASE get some word on how Bell is doing? His crash seemed the most serious of the day, yet we’re hearing NOTHING.
Great job Marvin! Kroc used excuse #43, yes i am counting.
Roczen hasnt even been in 43 motos in the US. so js and barcia get all the room for riding like goons or not closing the deal. but an 18yo doesnt.
when the careers are over with, i'll take musquin and roczen over barcia or stewart anyday of the week.
What about Tomac ?? -- the kid is an animal !!
How about some praise for his ride --
Self154
Baggett and Barcia tied in points so he did not loose any points that count.
Tomac was the fastest man there sat and for a bad start thing would have been different, he didn't go down and was killing it all of two motos. He is just coming on strong a little too late in the season for the title unless BB gives it away.
I am glad MM got the overall - I really like this kid and he will only get better.
Barcia got shcooled by Tomac and needed to do much better to have a chance at the title.
Wil hahn needs to know he can do it and he will be able to step to the next level, until then he is the best of the rest
Zach Bell looked like he was watching cartoons- is he ok? I am stating Tomac for the title next year.
Tomac is a BEAST! I really have a feeling he is going to come out swinging the final 4 motos. If Blake has some troubles Tomac could capitalize. If you take away Eli's bad first race we would have a neck and neck battle. 250's are going to be a great show these last 2 races!
@mit12 - I should have clarified ... Baggett lost four points to Tomac, as did Barcia. His points lead did, indeed, remain the same.
Speaking of Blakes, I was also impressed with Wharton's riding on Saturday.
Is Tomac in the 250 class next year ?
Dude looks huge on that Honda
JimM
Ho ho ho, ha ha ha. Oh dear, what a day for American MX. Two Euros on the 250 podium (plus the winner of course), both on a European motocycle, plus a 450 title win for KTM. Doesn´t get more un-American than that, even if KTM decided to give the ride to Dung and overlook the world champion, Antonio C.
Damn, the title would have been history at Southwick if Tony had been the pilot, and not old steady Ryan the Dung. LOL. He´s got to be the most boring guy in MX. Hell, Tony is dominant in a Carmichael sort of way out here in the real world, but he´s still exciting. Dung, on the other hand, is like a good sleeping pill. He really puts you to sleep.
Congrats to MM, the overall must have tasted sweet, after all the adversity he has faced in his American moto career! His smile expresses the enjoyment he derives from racing, as even when not on the box, his smile is there when he knows he has done his best. I hope he has even more success to come as he is one of the nice guys!
Tomac was a terror on the track! His speed was on full display in both motos, as he worked his tail off as he made his way forward. Great ride by a great young talent and another real nice guy!
.
To Euromike..it was a great day for KTM, credit where it is due. They produce a really good motorcycle!!! As for KTM passing on TC and giving the ride to Dungey, I believe it was TC who passed on racing over here, in favor of staying in Europe where he felt he could continue to dominate. Kind of like Stefen Everts, who after a taste of America, decide to stay off the National circuit. Nothing against Everts or Cariolli, both great riders, who knew what was best for them.
That was a humorous post, Euromike (in your unique, asinine way). I doubt many Americans are upset that the European bike (built FOR Dungey) beat the Jap bikes (no offense to them). As for Cairoli, no disrespect to him, either, but he hasn't once demonstrated the potential for dominance in the AMA Nationals that you suggest. Squeaking out one moto victory against Reed on a tight track in front of his home crowd in Italy (the ONLY moto he's won in MXdN)? With Dungey a solid third in his FIRST PRO RACE EVER on a 450. I believe Dungey has beaten him in every moto together since then. According to you and your ilk, the Americans have no chance in the sands of Lommel (or anywhere else, though we just keep winning). So I guess AC222 better win there! But will that really prove what you're saying? Of course it won’t.
I bet euromike pissed all over himself on Saturday!!! LOL it only took 19 moto's for a WORLD CHAMP to win a moto in the lites class!!! You must be so proud mike!!! LMAO you have no clue.
Euros get their a$$es kicked by us every year, what's this homo squaking about?
does anybody know who was down and got the red cross flag in Unadilla Lites Moto2 last lap? i can't figure it out. i hate that about coverage. like we only care if the top 5 guys crash but if it is the rider in 32nd place we don't care. huh?
"But after almost two full years on the circuit" Ahhh, Marv rode one race last year before Barcia wrecked the bike in front of him and Marv missed all but a couple races at the end. As of Saturday, or perhaps the previous race, Marv has run one full season in the US outdoors.
@euromike....
All I do is hamper these guys from cutting up any non-american, because everyone is human and can have their day. Idiots like @rene-rompo-donko-ding-dang, he's the worst anti world US IS BEST IN ANYTHING guy (or hermaphrodite whatever his preferance).
But you come on here and just make everyone hate euro because of you. RD5 is a champ, respect it.
I am not a euro, and I am not US, I just don't like people saying "never' or 'cant' when it come to racing, because like we saw this weekend, anything can.
Now grow the fk up and learn how to spell. The red line under words is bad.
For the record, in 2006; AC won Mx3 + Mx2 moto by beating fair and square Vilo, BT, Tedesco, Rattray, CeePee and so on...
Cairoli is a great guy while racing in Europe. He has yet to show us he can be as dominant in US...
How do you get spell check to work?? I see no red line.
@Dilhat - Wasn't that RV's first year as a lites pro? And Tedesco ... I like the guy, but his name shouldn't even come up in a conversation of "great" riders.
@racor357900 - That was Zach Bell lying on the ground for several laps before being carried off. I was standing at the skyshot jump before that downhill. I've asked on here several times for a report on him, but it's Tuesday morning and still NOTHING!
Couldn't help by reading the comments on Euro Mike. Enough said about
Euro riders being a thing of the past. I like MM, and Cairoli for that matter,
but Cairoli will never come over here just as your KING Everts never did,
becuase they know better. Stick to your little 350 because even Dungey knew
KTM needed a 450 to compete at the US level over here. Roczen and MM even have said the pace is much faster here than back home. Bye Mike!
The tidler class was great hey that is what it used be called even though we made the best lap times in the day. I am glad Marvin got a win he has worked hard. KTM hhad a grat day, Yes the track was brutal! I feel for the guys that got hurt so sorry. The mystic of Unidilla continuews.
@sef154 what difference does that make? RV was the AMA Lites outdoor champion and went 2-3 at the MXdn in 2006! Cairoli's public perception in America has suffered because of his poor MXdN results in recent years (often due to terrible luck), and unfortunately this is only time American fans ever really pay attention to GP riders. America only respect winners and in your minds AC doesn't appear to be a winner, based on past MXdN results. In Europe, outside the slightly unconventional nature of the MXdN, he is the definition of 'Winner'.
@jamma10 - First, you're kind of coming into the middle of a conversation. It was argued by "Euromike" that Cairoli is unquestionably the greatest rider and that GPs are superior to AMA Nationals. The proof simply isn't there. FYI, I do follow the GPs; that's why I know all about the "world champions" when they arrive in the U.S. (and often struggle, or at the very least, do not produce the way they did in GPs). "The difference," btw, regarding RV's appearance at MXdN in '06 was that he was a 16yo traveling across the world. Look what happened when they came to America in '07. Only two of the last six MXdNs were here, so the Euros have had "home-field advantage" every other time - to no avail.
Yes but Euromike seems to be just trolling, or he's just as obnoxious as that crazy Rene character!
You make a point about RV travelling across the world when he was young but Roczen wasn't allowed the same reprieve when aged 16 he raced Barcia et al in the States, or even now at 18 - the same age RV was in 2006 (not 16).
As for home advantage, for a start Saint Jean d'Angely is the only traditional GP circuit used for the MXdN in recent years, Matterly Basin was a brand new circuit, purpose built for the June GP and MXdN in 2006, Donington was built for the GP that year and only hosted the MXdN as a last minute alternative to Ireland where it was supposed to be held and Franciacorta was purposely built for the 2009 MXdN, no riders had ever even ridden the circuit prior the event.
Saying all that though, the track doesn't really make that much difference. USA are always able to field the strongest team collectively because you have such a large talent pool of quality riders to select from. In Europe all the best riders come from different countries. That is why you win the trophy each year, and you deserve to.
Does euromike realize that most people, let alone most Americans, ride Japanese bikes? Who cares where they are from. A good bike is a good bike and a good rider is a good rider; both win races and championships.
Unadilla was the best day to date this year for the euros and euromike is milking it for all he can.
The 250F championship didn't go as he (boldly) predicted and that must bother him to no end.........I'm bummed about K-Roc too but, I don't think anyone saw Baggett going the way he did.
KTM is well placed with 250F talent for the immediate future and will have a competitive tour next year as well..........title?.............maybe.
I think Tomac is going to outgrow the 250F by next year's MX series.......bummer.
@ euromike, any predictions for MXdN?
Mine:
Herlings- MX2 overall and maybe individual overall...........it could happen.
Carioli- MX1 top three
Team U.S.A.- another win
Team Belgium- top three
It's hard for me guessing the rest, as so many racers base themselves out of Belgium nowadays and it being so close (relatively) to this track maybe they're all good in the sand.
I expect good things from DeSalle, DeRuever, Van Horbeek and maybe Strijbos.
Don't get all butthurt if A.C. starts riding a Dungey-replica 450 next year, buddy.
I find it odd that the article doesn't mention the reason he didn't have two full seasons here at all. Barcia's flying bike that took out Musquin by hitting him in the face and breaking his hand is pretty nice thing to know when you go saying he's had two full years here. He hasn't, that incident has played a big role in his adjustment here, and how fast he's been able to win and how many times he would have grabbed podiums. It was his very first good start in america only a couple rounds in. There aren't many scenarios stranger than a world champ have this happen to him, yet know one seems to talk about it.