Insight: Marvin Musquin
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 | 11:00 AM
Since 1990, the driving force for Allsport Dynamic’s products has come from the physically demanding sport of motocross. From the entire Allsport team, comes a true commitment to helping others and a dedication to make the best products possible in both design and function.
Tweet
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
PrintWhile Red Bull KTM's Ken Roczen has grabbed most of the attention this year after leading a ton of races but falling short of a victory, teammate Marvin Musquin has not been far behind, trying to get into the "fast four" group of Roczen, Blake Baggett, Eli Tomac and Justin Barcia. The friendly Frenchman just couldn't seem to crack the podium code, however, until Unadilla when he suddenly delivered his first win in the U.S. For the 2009 and 2010 MX2 World Champion, the victory was a long time coming. He talked about it at Unadilla's post-race press conference.
Racer X: Congratulations, Marvin. Big day for you and your team.
Marvin Musquin: Thanks! We were here last year. Washougal was my first race back and I was struggling. Southwick was hard, too, and here I did that [struggled], too. Then I did my best result in Washougal [this year] and then Southwick and then here. It’s great. Today, I just felt really good in the morning. The track was muddy in the morning with big ruts. I was finding some good lines and I was enjoying riding. I love these conditions because it’s really technique. I was standing up on my footpegs and finding new lines and stuff like that. I was the fastest of the lap times and it was great. Then second practice, I did the same thing. I was pretty happy. But I’m always fast in the morning when the track is like this, kind of slippery and muddy, and during the afternoon, the track gets dry and screws up berms and it’s different. But it’s the same for everybody, so today was perfect. I got a good first moto start. First moto I was too shy in the first three laps and [Ken] Roczen got the lead pretty early then I finally passed into second and Roczen was pretty far. I tried my best, but I finished second. It was my best result, so it was good because Kenny got the first win for KTM and I was second, so it was great. And then second moto, I really focused on the start. The last few races, the second moto, I missed the start. Every weekend, I’m not going to do the same things. So I did a good start. I was around the top three. It’s a good way to get a podium. But I was thinking about the overall too much. I knew [Eli] Tomac and [Justin] Barcia had a bad first moto, then I did two good motos, second and third. So I was thinking too much at the end of the second moto and then [Justin] Bogle was right behind me. He didn’t pass me, fortunately, and I got the overall. So it’s a great day because Ryan Dungey got the championship, Kenny won the first moto for KTM for the first time and I got the overall for the first time. So it was a perfect day.
Musquin captured his first career Lucas Oil Pro Motocross overall at Unadilla.
Simon Cudby photo
Racer X: If we go back to the beginning of the season, 48 hours before the opener I saw you with a cast on your hand.
Yeah, the first rounds were really hard for me and my hand hurt, but after the third race, it was all good. I am just trying to get better every week, doing motos and working hard. This year, the competition is really tough and those guys are really, really fast, like Tomac, Barcia, Baggett, Roczen. I’m getting better every weekend and, like I said, it was the perfect track for me and perfect conditions. It took good technique up front. But second moto, Tomac, once again, was way faster than everybody. So, like I said, the competition was really tough. But I’m really happy to get the ball rolling. It’s my fault that I always finish second moto out of the top three and I always finish fourth in the overall, always. It’s 4-4-4-4. And even when I get a fourth and fourth in my motos, I get fourth overall, and then when I get and second and fifth in my motos, I get fourth overall! And today, I get a second and third for first overall!. It’s great.
We talked a lot to Roczen this year about the transition to the United States, but we didn’t get to ask you a lot last year because you were out of a lot of the races. So what is the transition like? What are some of the major differences you’ve had to adapt to compared to racing the GPs?
I don’t know, there are a lot of things. It’s a different country, different language, it’s all different. We only have two 15 minute practice sessions to learn the track. I feel like the tracks are rougher and have more bumps. Roczen, this is his first year and this is my second year, but this was my first season of supercross. Last year was a nightmare for me and this year went pretty good for me with the supercross and now fifth in the outdoors. But I broke my hand again right before supercross. It was tough, but right now I feel good in the U.S. and everything is going good. The team is awesome and I’m really enjoying racing and I have great people around me. It’s just if you don’t get the start, if you’re not racing at the beginning of the race, you lose positions. It’s competition. It’s getting tougher and tougher. It’s great to be on the top of the box. It’s a good feeling.
Musquin is signed with Red Bull KTM for the next two years.
Garth Milan photo
Your timing was actually pretty good with KTM. You signed with them partway through the year in Europe a few years ago, long before anyone thought that Roger DeCoster would be here in the U.S. Talk about how well that’s worked out for you that, by the time you wanted to move to the U.S., the team was on the rise. I think other teams have talked to you, but you want to stay where you are.
Yeah, we have a crazy time in Europe when I switched teams from the private team to Red Bull KTM in the middle of the season. I got two championships in Europe then I signed for the U.S. It was my goal to come here and race in the U.S. My first goal was to do a good race in Europe and that’s what I did. That was a perfect way to come here. Tyla Rattray, I watched him. He won some races in Europe and a championship. Roczen is a world champion too and he’s having a hard time here and it’s the same for me. That’s why I said the competition’s really hard. But right now, I’m really happy to be on the Red Bull KTM team and I’m with some great people. I signed for two more years. It can’t be better.
We’re heading off to Steel City. You’ve got some time off, two weeks. Your final thoughts going into Steel City.
Steel City went really good for me last year and I got my first overall third there. I like [Steel City]. It’s got a lot of jumps and it’s a fun track. We have one weekend off and we are racing since January, since A1, so it is a long season. In Europe we have a lot of breaks, weekends off, so this is a long season. It will be good to have a weekend off, and I'll keep training and be ready.
Did you like this article?
Check out TEAM HONDA AT DAWN
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
Forty years ago, Team Honda arrived on the American motocross circuit with a brand new motorcycle: the game-changing Elsinore CR250. Page 170.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
Marvin's a likeable guy. I'm kind of reading between the lines, but he seems to be saying that the AMA Nationals are more competitive than the GPs. Euromike?
Guy is very ambitious. It's good to have guys like him come over here to race.
@sef154 This year the 250 class is definitely tougher in the states, but then its probably the most competitive its ever been in America. The top 4/5 are all ridiculous and national prejudice aside, there is really not a great deal between them.
@ CZMark and some others I have been kinda busy and am trying to Ketchup on the message boards. Just left a comment on "450 Words" Gotta gotta read some mmore and then get some stuff done???
@jamma10 - top GP riders have been coming to America - usually to the 250 class - for ages, and rarely have the same level of success they had in Europe. They come to race against the best - for which I commend them.
I would have to agree that the MX2 class does not have 5 top guys, given the day they have 2-3. The US has 5-6 on race weekends. Less room for error racing in the US. I would put those top 2-3 against our 5-6 racers and anyone could snag a win. I'm not talking nationalities just those racing the series. I could care less where someone is from.
Marvin is generally smooth and I think rides alot like Windham. Doesn't take alot of chances and obviously is very consistent.
I do think He will take 2nd or 3rd at this years MXdN, Herlings, MM/KR, then Baggett.
For all the What IF'ers out there, what if Barcia Hadn't crashed and taken out Musquin last year breaking Musquins hand, which was also the same hand and spot he broke this year.
I doubt Herlings will ride a 250 at MXdN. He didn't last year.
@ Sef154 Townley ran Villopoto all the way to the wire in the 2007 outdoor season, Pourcel narrowly missed out on two outdoor national titles, Rattray has finished 2nd in the Lites twice, Searle did ok in his first season (6th) with a few podiums and as a lone ktm rider. Roczen won a supercross at 16 years old, has finished 2nd in the Supercross class and is a hairs breadth away from Baggett and Tomac right now, Musquin is now beginning to show his true colours after an injury stricken introduction to American racing. They may not have won many titles between them but they've been far from failures either. The trouble is, everyone likes to judge these riders in America, until a top tier rider switches the other way you will never know how an American rider would stack up in Europe, racing alone, without two other team mates and a 30 man entourage to rely on.
RV said he wants to win the GP championship. Zach Osbourne has done pretty good there.
@jamma10-The transition has always been rough for these riders and takes time for them to acclimate. For US riders going to Europe, same thing, it takes time. There is a small list of riders who struggled here for a few years until they won a title, so it takes time. In this country we tend to over play it or too much hype when these Euro's show up, to much expectation. You make some good points and Marvin is coming around just fine.
Would be really interesting to see what RV could do against AC222 . Hope we'll se this in the future . And of course congrats Musquin , happy to see this rider kick some ass again in MX .
@sef154, well I guy can dream can't he.
This time of year, I'd like to see the top 5 in points in the US go up against the top 3 in GP(MX2).
After the last couple weeks it has shown how the Euro guys do ride better and more equal to Americans on tracks more similar to those on the GP schedule. The hardpacked and one line racing doesn't seem to fit there upbringing well and it takes them longer to adapt then the 2x15min practice sessions, in which the track surface is completely different by race time.
KTM will have 6 Factory bikes at MXdN this year, wow can you imagine that bill. 3 GP MX2 champs, 1 MX1 Champ, 1MX2 race winner, and a US MX 450 champ. thats a stacked Paddock.
I think any European would have to be pretty stupid not to think RV or Dungey would give Cairoli a VERY good run for his money in Europe. But its kind of frustrating to see so many Americans dismiss Cairoli, when in reality he very much belongs in the group of four riders that are so revered in the States.
Cairoli has a chance to compete against US riders every year at the Nations- only 1 race, but everyone gets to race on the same track. He has been OK, but not dominating. GREAT JOB MARVIN
I think the GPs make a great feeder series for the AMA nationals, other than Loretta's it's really the only other place an AMA champion is ever likely to be born
sorry Matthes, Canada just aint on the map
@ fiftyone50
That's funny how you pretend to know anything about me , and there's no link between what i wrote and what you said . Even if i party alot , if the youth would have the success i'm having in engeneering studies , the world just could be better .
HATER . ( And i'm not saying anything about americans , even if you just insult french people ).
Now let's talk about motocross , cause you didn't .
fiftyone50-please just go away, your comments aren't needed on a MX website.
5150 in no way represents the "average American." Now please take your bad manners elsewhere.
@Not4show - Not sure what your "dreaming" comment is referring to.
@jamma10 – Townley was older and had some years of experience (on bigger bikes) before battling the younger RV. Pourcel was, again, an older, experienced GP rider who lost to the younger, less-experienced Dungey and Canard. Rattray was older and MUCH more experienced. Searle didn’t make that big of a splash after finishing second, what, twice in GPs before coming over? These riders were at the TOP of their GP classes when they came over to race in our “junior division.” Send over the likes of Van Horebeek, Nicholls, Tonus, Ferrandis, Teillet, Tixier, et al (all top-10 in the last GP) and they’re not getting a sniff of the front over here. Zach Osborne went over and got podiums after leaving here with little success. Michael Leib? I’m not calling any of these riders “failures”; what I’m saying is that the BEST MX racing in the world takes place here in the States. GPs are very entertaining and have talented riders, but they are a “world championship” in name only.
Stefan Everts (one of GPs all time best) said himself in June issue of Moto Magazine that he dreamed of coming to the U.S. to race full time, but his agent talked him out of it saying to him it was better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond. Everts admitts that his agent was right.
@Sef154, I was talkin about Herlings, Musquin Bagget and Roczen lining up at MXdN, then you mentioned how Herlings didn't ride the 250 and rode the 450 last year.
Also, how were Osbornes results this year? They weren't bad, had a couple DNF's but was definitely at the top in SX out west this year. He is definitely the 2nd rider behind herlings, which I think is only 17? this year.
Americans and Euros ride on 2 entirely different kinds of tracks and take 2 different style of riding. I'm pro MX where ever it is. But it will take American riders to go over to race the GP's and win before I will discount and of the top GP riders. Its obvious Marvin and Roczen are in the Crosshairs since they are both MX2 champs. Well Guess what. In both of their first full seasons here they have both won against the best the US has to offer. Especially impressive is Musquin who has to deal with injuries that have slowed him in MX. Next year will be very interesting in SX and MX with all these 250 riders. Unless MM bumps to big bikes next year. He is contracted to ride for KTM, but no one has said which bike. But I think he will ride 1 more year on 250's before moving up.
Ask any privateer if it's cheap to race the Nationals. I understand what you're saying, Pitbull. As for the "problems" in America, let's see. Here in the U.S., there is only one language to deal with; in the GPs there are many. (I'm assuming Marvin doesn't speak Czech, or Russian, for example.) The GP riders who come over generally have factory rides, which means they probably have nice living accommodations, practice tracks, and fly to the races (as do American factory riders). Getting used to new tracks and the heat could be an issue (though American riders often only get one crack at each track per year, and aren't many riders based in FLA these days?). Hey, I RESPECT the guys that come over. My point is that they COME OVER, and they come over to race THE BEST. I'd be happy to see a better way to compare (loved the old Trans AMA/USA series). But I think for now the AMA Nationals are the main point of comparison.
@Sef how can you try and claim that any of the US riders were Less experienced? they have been racing bikes from the time they were 6 years old for the most part and have raced Amatuer nationals all over the country.
You can't claim that the GP's are a lesser series and not as good, then go and claim that the ex GP riders had age and experience. Townley had bike failures, CP was paralyzed prior to coming to the US to race. Championships are about consistency over the long haul and aren't directly correlated with speed. Moto wins and overalls are where the Fastest riders. But you can be fast and never get a moto win, you get be consistant and never win a title(ask Windham).
But along with all of this. There have been only 2 riders american or otherwise that have Won every moto in MX. That was RC and JS. RC even did it twice. What were there records at the MXdN? Not undefeated thats for sure. yet we say RC was the GOAT......
You can't compare US vs. GP's based on previous results,
@Not4show - Top Americans aren't going over there any time soon, for a lot of the reasons I mentioned. So as I said, the AMA Nationals are the main point of comparison. Regarding Musquin next year, remember he'll have FAR more experience than most of the Americans in the 250s (at least the ones that have championship aspirations). But I'll say it again, I respect Marvin (and Kenny, and even a guy like Fredrik Noren) for coming over ... over to THE TOP RACING SERIES IN THE WORLD.
And AMATEUR experience is NOT PROFESSIONAL experience! Ask any amateur athlete who's made it to the pros.
And who said anything about winning EVERY RACE? Although ... I don't recall RC losing any races at MXdN where bike problems weren't involved, except the year he had already retired ... and still won a moto!
Not saying the US riders are the best, but the best competition is here in the states. It has been this way for many years, and only someone really biased would disagree.
I thought Roczen was going to be a threat for the championship this year. Not at all it turns out.
Expeditionary Citizen wrote:
"I thought Roczen was going to be a threat for the championship this year. Not at all it turns out."
Well, yes, he hasn´t been the threat I thought he´d be, but looking back at his career, he´s always won the title he´s gone for at his second attempt. There is a pattern there, if you care to research it. He´ll rule America yet. You arse kissers will be tasting the flavor of his rear end before you are done. Trust me.
I wish you'd tell us where you're from, Euromike. Wherever it is, clearly you've been looking at our "arses" for most of the past 31 years or so (if you're old enough to have done so). FYI, your views might get a better response if you weren't such an arrogant a$$ yourself.
sef154 The year RC retired he won every AMA Outdoor race he entered, 6 overalls in total. Im not sure how old you are, but he also lost both MXdN motos in 1998.
Marvin is smart to embrace racing in the US. He should seriously think about moving here full time. As bad as things have gotten in the last few years here at least he won't have to pay a 75% income tax. Hopefully anyway.
jamma10, not sure what you're getting at. RC was 18 when he went to Foxhill in '98. It was a mud hole; even Everts, while leading, got stuck in the mud. Are we really judging Carmichael's skill by that? He also struggled in Brazil in '99 after track workers inexplicably flooded the track overnight. He smashed his pipe in moto one. In moto two, his bike’s brake line and throttle cable were broken by another rider's bike and that was that. Again, so what? As for RC's last year, yes, he won the first six Nationals, then parked his bike for three months as he got started with his truck racing career. Still, he came back to Budds Creek and charged to third after a bad start, then won his final moto as a pro to help seal the victory. But again, what’s your point? That RC lost some races, and that somehow proves that AMA racing isn’t superior to GPs? Please help me understand your logic.
BTW, I’m old enough to remember watching Marty Smith beat Bob Hannah at Unadilla in ’77, and old enough to have read about DeCoster, Mikkola, Weil, the two elder Everts, and all the other Euros in my Dirt Bike magazines in the early ‘70s. Are you questioning my knowledge? What is it you think I don’t know?
If I was Ryan Dungey and had just wrapped up the national championship with 2 rounds remaining.I would ride the 350 the last 2 races and try to get the first US win on the 350.I would do this just for fun.If I was AC222 with five world championships I think I would try to ride a few US nationals each each year.But of course we had a couple GPs here and none of our top riders would ride in those.If I had been one of these riders I would of done these things just for fun.Point is.A bunch of Prema Donnas.They are nothing like the riders from the 70s and 80s thats for sure.
I'm honored to have earned the wrath of the our nitwitted friend, 5150.
@ fred
as gomez addams would say, that's a capital idea! or better yet a two-stroke. kinda reminds me of shane watts racing ( and often winning ) on a different model every round. I appreciate a manufacturer selling me what I want instead of telling me what I want ( i.e two mufflers vs. hydraulic clutch )
I would like to congratulate Marvin on his first win! I have never been a fan of the french riders that have come to the US, but Marvin is one of the most respectful and nicest guys to ever race in the US. He never makes excuses and always gives a 100% effort. Marvin and his wife make a great couple and I really hope he stays here and gets a lot more wins. Good luck buddy!
sef154 you wrote...
'I don't recall RC losing any races at MXdN where bike problems weren't involved'
I just reminded you of Foxhill, where bike problems weren't involved. Not trying to question anything. Again, I don't know why age should be a factor. If you're good enough - and RC clearly was - then you're old enough.
And as for your assertion that Im trying to prove that AMA racing isn’t superior to GPs... I'm not. But my belief is that there is more parity than Americans often think.
I'll never forget RC almost double lapping Marc de Reuver at Southwick. If he had one more lap he would have.
@cromob Watts was awsome.Sometime he wouldn't even put on a new rear tire.Shame that none of the current gen mxers are like that.Oh well.
jamma10 said: "I don't know why age should be a factor."
Really? So a 17 or 18-year-old kid should be expected to be as poised and mature as an older rider when it comes to traveling to a foreign country and riding his best under the pressure of representing his country? Really?
Also: "But my belief is that there is more parity (between AMA and GPs) than Americans often think."
I, too, believe there is something “close” to parity between the top riders. But I also think there is something to the fact that so many top GP riders come to the U.S., and that they find it more difficult when they come over. Remember, Roczen did about as well at 15yo riding in GPs (which were NOT held in his native country, btw) as he did here with nearly three years of professional experience. Also, Musquin was winning GPs as a privateer before jumping ship mid-season to the factory KTM team and completing the first of two championship-winning seasons. He’s fifth in points 5/6 of the way through a full AMA season – AFTER winning those GP titles.
To summarize: There are some very good riders in GPs. Most of the best come here and, combined with American riders, make for the TOP series in the world. Winning in GPs alone will never make you "the best" in my eyes. (Sorry Antonio.)
@Expeditionary Citizen - I believe you're thinking of 2008, and it was Stewart who won that day. (RC was retired.) DeReuver got third in the first moto but was so exhausted that he droped out of moto two. The only other time he rode Southwick was '01, on a 125, and Pastrana won that day (and honestly, I don't even remember him being there that day).
Racing in 100 degree fahrenheit and high humidity will do that to a Dutch person when they just pop over for a week. 3rd in the first moto was a hell of a result - at that point of the season he was lying 14th in the World Championship and finished 10th.
Having another Trans-Am series or some sort of cross-atlantic series would be great! How do we make that happen?
Even having just two tracks, one in U.S. & one in Europe, let's say England for logistics and ease of travel, would be a step in the right direction.
@ fiftyone50, after reading that you fight forest fires, I'm ashamed to call myself a wildland firefighter after seeing the stuff coming out of your mind. The brotherhood of firefighters probably respect you as much as the people on this site do.................just a bit of friendly advice, give it a rest.
I think it was a very politically correct way of easing KTM into the win column with Roczen getting the first (moto) win and Musquin getting the O/A win.
Way to share, kids! You've made your parents (and team) proud!!!!
jamma10, I wasn't putting DeReuver down, just responding to Expeditionary Citizen's recollection. DeReuver is a sand master, and I, along with many of the other Southwick faithful, were happy to have him there and see what he could do. Stewart and Short both beat him in that first moto, but he rode well.
@carlsbad - Thanks for your perspective on your fellow firefighter. What's up with that guy?
I stand corrected thank you. I don't know why I thought of De Reuver. I meant to say Frederick Bolley in 2001. That was the year him and Joel Smets came over. Smets holeshot on his ktm 540 and RC later referred to it as a "1000 or what ever it is". lol
Among men, it's well known that there a doers and there are talkers. I'll leave it to the other posters to make their own decisions as to 5150's status.
@ sef154, my guess is he's a camp troll, probably working a support unit, delivering water bottles and lunches or cleaning port-a-johns in camp, not a real firefighter.
What kind of male wants to have sex with another male in the woods? A male that is in "Deliverance"..........sexual deviant, backwoods inbred, dysfunctional, trash. He should be sterilized for the sake of humanity. Probably has "trouble" with women anyway, makes sense he would make sexual statements towards men because of no progress with opposite sex. Disturbing.
There wil be more ktm factory bikes at lommel
1Dungey on 450 2 Nagle on 450 3De Dijcker 450 4Cairoli 350 5 Herlings 350 6 Roczen 350 7 Musquin 250 8 v Horebeek 250
It wil be hard to beat Cairoli even for Herlings and Dungey Nagle is also good and the Dijcker will be fast in the sand too
I think Roczen will have to ride over his top to win
@ patjeja, are you certain Herlings will be 350 mounted? This is the 4th time I've heard this and am wondering the thought process here. A 350 won't give him the individual O/A any better than the 250F will but, he will be outgunned in the MX1 class where, if he were 250F mounted, he would certainly have a shot at MX2 O/A.
Maybe Team Netherlands has a master plan.
I have a feeling team USA will ride for the ovall win and not try to dominate like back in the day.
Yes Herlings conferms he wil ride the 350 factory ktm that has a 10 horsepower more than a 250 and he s riding the 350 because it s better in the deep sand track than the 450 ktm. you can look it up at motorcrossplanet.nl and look a film of him riding the 350 at berghem sand track.
The two world champs* on 350's!?!?!?!?
This will be an interesting race!