Musquin Earns First U.S 250 Motocross Podium

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
2^nd
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 7^th
position. He quickly climbed to 6^th
place by the end of the first lap. Once in 6^th,
he set his sights on the 5^th
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 4^th
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 3^rd
place. He finished the moto strong and held on to earn his first
career podium.

“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,” commented
Musquin.

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 3^rd
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 3^rd
overall for the day marking his first U.S. career podium.

“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,” stated Musquin after the
event.

In the
450 Motocross class, Musquin’s teammate, Mike Alessi, made the best
out of a track he was not entirely excited about. “I just don’t
like the track today. I can’t get comfortable on it and I struggled
a bit in practice,” stated Alessi.

In moto
one, Alessi rounded the first corner around 10^th
place. He came up to 9^th
early on and then moved up to 8^th
shortly after. He spent the remainder of the moto closing on the 7^th
place ride of Justin Brayton. Once he got within two seconds of him,
he made a mistake and ran off the track. Alessi lost 10 seconds from
the error but didn’t lose a position. He was unable to make the
time back on Brayton and settled for an 8^th
place finish.

In moto
two, Alessi received a much better start rounding the first corner in
3^rd
place. He dropped to 5^th
after the first two laps but remained close to the 4^th
place ride of Brett Metcalfe for the majority of the moto. He was
able to put a gap on the 6^th
place rider and finish with a comfortable cushion in 5^th
place when the checkered flag flew. His 8-5 moto scores earned him
6^th
overall for the day.

“I
definitely struggled here today but considering how I felt on the
track I am satisfied with my results. I am really looking forward to
the final round and hope to get on the podium heading to Pala, stated
Alessi.

Next
Event: Pala Raceway – September 10, 2011

Overall
Results 250 Motocross Class –

1. Dean
   Wilson
   

   
   

2. Eli
   Tomac

   
   

3. Marvin
   Musquin – KTM
   

   
   

4. Tyla
   Rattray

   
   

5. Gareth
   Swanepoel

   
   

6. Blake
   Baggett

   
   

7. Justin
   Bogle

   
   

8. Alex
   Martin
   

   
   

9. Martin
   Davalos
   

   
   

10. Malcolm
    Stewart

    
    

11. Kyle
    Cunningham
    

    
    

12. Broc
    Tickle

    
    

13. Jason
    Anderson

    
    

14. Gannon
    Audette
    

    
    

15. Darryn
    Durham
    

    
    

Overall
Results 450 Motocross Class –

1. Ryan
   Villopoto
   

   
   

2. Ryan
   Dungey
   

   
   

3. Brett
   Metcalfe

   
   

4. Chad
   Reed

   
   

5. Jake
   Weimer

   
   

6. Mike
   Alessi
   

   
   

7. Justin
   Brayton

   
   

8. Kyle
   Regal

   
   

9. Nick
   Wey

   
   

10. Michael
    Byrne

    
    

11. Kyle
    Chisholm
    

    
    

12. Colton
    Facciotti

    
    

13. Justin
    Barcia

    
    

14. Les
    Smith
    

    
    

15. Tye
    Simmonds – KTM