KTM’s Marvin Musquin Shines at Glen Helen to Sweep MX2 GP
San Bernardino, CA – Musquin, who came from nowhere at the beginning of the 2009 season to finish with the world title in his pocket won the qualifying on Saturday, took both holeshots and won both motos at the Glen Helen USGP.
“It’s great to come and race in the U.S.A.,” stated the 20 year-old Frenchman. “While in the lead during both races I stayed focused on my lines and riding and was able to stay fast and smooth to prove that my KTM and I were the best today.”
Musquin came out of the gate like a rocket in the first moto, taking the holeshot and mastering the tricky first corner to eventual settle into a nice lead. He carried his lead all the way to the checkered flag. His second moto was again another near flawless performance. The second moto was cut short when a red flag was thrown with seven minutes to go after the high winds knocked the Red Bull finish line arch onto the track. All in all, the day was a perfect introduction to the USA for Musquin who has already signed to race in the US for KTM in 2011 and 2012. Musquin now leads the championship by 40 points.
Musquin’s teammate, Shaun Simpson, also had two great starts and stayed with the front runners for the first half of both races. He finished 9th in moto one and was 3rd overall in the second moto gaining 32 championship points for 5th overall. While Simpson was pleased to get the points he did admit it was tough adjusting to the hot weather and difficult track conditions. “It was very different riding here,” commented Simpson. “The weather was hot, the track was very fast and the long rips in the start straight made it difficult to get a good start. I felt tired after the first 15 minutes in the first moto but the second was better and I had a good rhythm.”
The third member of the MX2 team, young 15 year-old Jeffrey Herlings, had unfortunate luck in both motos. He twice got tangled with other riders in the early stages of both motos and had to fight his way back into action from the back of the pack. While it was understandably disappointing to Herlings who has already had a GP victory in his first season and is high in the point standings, he could still take something positive from the experience. “This track was very fast compared to the tracks in Europe. It didn’t bring me any luck but it was still pretty cool to race such a well known track,” stated Herlings. His 13 points from the race leave him 4th in the championship point standings.
MX2 Results
1. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM, 25-25—50
2. Zach Osborne, USA, Yamaha, 18-22—40
3. Steven Frossard, France, Kawasaki, 22-18—40
4. Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki, 20-16—36
5. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM, 112-20—32
Other KTM
7. Jake Nichols, Britain, KTM, 11-14—25
9. Dennis Verbruggen, Belgium, KTM 7-15—22
11. Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM, 8-8—16
14. Jeffrey Herlings, Netherlands, 13-0--13
MX2 Standings after 6 of 15 rounds
1. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM 268 points
2. Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki, 228
3. Steven Frossard, France, Kawasaki, 205
4. Jeffrey Herlings, Netherlands, 197
5. Shaun Simpson, Britain, 170
Other KTM
9. Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM, 134
10. Jake Nichols, Britain, KTM 129
12. Dennis Verbruggen, Belgium, KTM 101
