2010 MX2 Champion
When Marvin Musquin started winning motocross races at the beginning of 2009, he was relatively unknown, but by Sunday when he secured his second consecutive MX2 title riding in Lierop, Netherlands, KTM’s French racer enjoyed the status of one of the most talented motocross riders in the business and a worthy world champion.
Musquin secured the FIM motorcross title in the first moto at Lierop just two weeks after his factory teammate Tony Cairoli rode his KTM 350 SX-F to his title victory in the MX1 class, leaving the Austrian manufacturer with a stunning clean sweep of the world championship MX1 and MX2 titles.
Together with teammate Jeffrey Herlings, who also won two GPs in his first competition season, the KTM MX2 duo have been major players in the MX2 competition.
“This is a great moment for us,” said KTM CEO speaking to Youthstream TV from the KTM pit area. “It is the first time that KTM has won both titles. Now Marvin goes to the USA and Roger DeCoster is waiting for him.”
Earlier on Sunday at Lierop KTM announced the signing of the legendary rider/manager Roger DeCoster to take over the management of KTM’s new full factory team to compete in the USA from 2011.
On his way to his second title, Musquin won no less than eight GPs and 14 individual motos up until taking the title after the first moto in Lierop. Slightly built and quietly spoken Musquin charges out of the start gate with only one thing in mind – to get the job done.
And he does it in style and elegance and with significant displays of courage. In the first half of the season Marvin rode like the devil and topped the podium in Bulgaria, Lombardy, Portugal, Catalunya, USA, France and Germany.
The only one to spoil his party at the half way mark was his 15-year-old teammate Herlings who walked away with his home GP in the Netherlands.
But in the second half of the season, Musquin was challenged hard and often by young German Ken Roczen, only to return to the podium in third place in Limberg in Belgium before winning again in Locket in the Czech Republic and placing second to Roczen in Brazil.
During his temporary mid season dip in form, Marvin never once let go of the coveted red plate as championship leader.
Since Marvin joined the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team mid season last year he has grown in stature and reputation as he has rolled out a series of performances on his KTM 250 SX-F bike that have thrilled the fans and sent KTM well on the way to securing the manufacturer’s title in MX2 as well as in MX1.
Marvin Musquin says: “I started the first moto with victory ambitions but the track was tough. I dropped down then saw Ken pull out and I realized I was World Champion, it was great to see my team waiting for me trackside to celebrate the win. In the second moto I had a good battle with Gautier, congratulations to him for winning the Grand Prix. Also I am sorry for my rival Roczen’s problems, he has been very unlucky.”
With two MX2 world championship titles to his credit achieved before his 21st birthday in December 2010, the new world champion can now concentrate on the next phase of his meteoric career.
He has already signed with KTM to race in the USA for 2011 and 2012, where he will compete in the US Lites East and the Outdoor Nationals.
The entire KTM International Family congratulates Marvin on a fantastic season and thanks him for all the great performances he has given during the 2011 racing season. Marvin, like his teammate Tony Cairoli is a true KTM hero.
FIM Motocross MX2 GP of Benelux Lierop, Netherlands
1, Gautier Paulin, France, Yamaha 25-20-45
2, Marvin Musquin, France, KTM, 20-22-42 = Marvin is MX2 World Champion after 1st moto.
3, Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM, 22-18-40
4, Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM, 18-14-32
5. Harri Kullas, Finland, Yamaha, 14-16-30
FIM Motorcross MX2 Championship Standings
1, Marvin Musquin, France, KTM 613 (WORLD CHAMPION)
2, Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki, 524
3, Steven Frossard, France, Kawasaki, 446
4, Jeffrey Herlings, Netherlands, KTM, 391
5, Zach Osborne, USA; 368
MX2 Manufacturer’s Standings
1, KTM 664 points (KTM wins title)
2, Suzuki, 563 Points
3, Yamaha, 495
