Motocross Profile
Marvin Musquin was one of those French young talents who entered the UEM European Motocross series at young age with the goal of building a solid racing career.
At just 14 years of age Musquin won his maiden European Title in the 85cc class onboard a Kawasaki of the Bud Racing squad. The step forward in what is the ladder leading into Grand Prix racing was Musquin’s participation in the highly competitive EMX2 class, going from 24th in 2006 to fourth in 2007.
His progression granted him the chance to enter the Grand Prix at Faenza in 2007, where he showed an impressive form in heat one – riding with the front-runners before fading to sixth. The Grand Prix paddock noticed Musquin straight away and Team NGS offered him a ride for the 2008 season, a proposal Musquin accepted with excitement.
Spending the winter to gain endurance, a quality he discovered to lack when racing in Faenza, Musquin found himself at the gate of the first Grand Prix of 2008 onboard an MX2 Honda machine.
The goal of a top ten finish could not be reached because of an injury at the Czech Grand Prix, on a track that will offer the young French more surprises in the future. Musquin broke his collarbone and a bone in his foot, missing two Grand Prix’s but coming back at Faenza to seal a 14th place in the Championship.
The following year was the one of Musquin’s consecration. 2009 started with the French’s maiden podium -third overall- in Faenza’s mud and continued with his maiden win at round two in Sevlievo.
The red plate, which had been held by Paulin since his win at Faenza, would come just at Bellpuig and at the following Grand Prix at Mallory Park the French would line up with a factory KTM, leaving Honda and Team NGS.
Getting to grips with the new bike straight away, Musquin became even stronger and despite two stops -one in Sweden due to contractual issues and one in Loket due to a mechanical failure- the French took victory in the last two rounds of the series and was eventually crowned World Champion in the last round in Brazil.
2010 was the year Musquin had all the pressure on himself, the Frenchman deciding to race with the number one on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine. Musquin went on to win the opening two rounds, leaving the third to team mate Herlings – the 15 year old debutant to become one of Musquin’s main threats alongside Roczen.
After defeat Musquin came back on top of the podium to take the season’s longest winning streak in MX2 as he topped the podium in Portugal, Catalunya, USA, France and Germany. Building some gap in between himself and his main rivals, those never left Musquin in peace with Roczen, Herlings and Frossard winning one Grand Prix each after Musquin stopped his winning streak. Heading to Czech Republic to break his unfortunate streak of results at Loket, Musquin came out victorious and continued being on the podium by taking second overall in Brazil behind Roczen.
The penultimate round in Lierop saw Musquin take a third place in the first heat while Roczen, who was the only Title threat to Musquin, pulled out of the race. The result granted Musquin the Title, which was celebrated with a second place on the podium behind overall winner Paulin. Eight GP wins out of 11 podium appearances and 14 heat wins have made Musquin the most successful MX2 rider of the year.
Musquin’s 2011 plans will see the two time World Champion head to the USA in order to contest both the Supercross and Motocross series again with KTM, to be managed by MX Legend Roger De Coster.
Though Musquin will head Stateside sooner than expected as he was selected to represent France at the 64th edition of the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations set to happen in Lakewood, Colorado, on the September 26 weekend. Teammates to Musquin will be Christophe Pourcel and Xavier Boog.
MARVIN MUSQUIN-BIOGRAPHY AND CAREER
Name and surname: Marvin Musquin
Nationality: French
Place of birth: La Reole
Date of birth (d/m/y): 30/12/1989
First GP raced: 2007, GP of Città di Faenza, Faenza, MX2
World Titles: 2 (MX2)
First World Title: 2009
GP wins 14: (MX2)
First GP win: 2009, GP of Bulgaria, Sevlievo, MX2
Last GP win: 2010, GP of Czech Republic, Loket, MX2
YEAR |
BIKE |
TEAM |
CHAMPIONSHIP |
OTHER |
2009 |
KTM |
FRANCE/RED |
FIM |
2nd |
2008 |
HONDA |
NGS |
FIM |
14th |
2007 |
KAWASAKI |
BUD |
FIM |
33rd |
2007 |
KAWASAKI |
BUD |
UEM |
4th |
2006 |
KAWASAKI |
BUD |
UEM |
24th |
2004 |
KAWASAKI |
BUD |
UEM |
1st |
Updated at the Grand Prix of Benelux, Lierop, Sept. 5, 2010.