The top-three riders in the Monster Energy AMA 250SX East have certainly established themselves. The triumvirate of Marvin Musquin, Jeremy Martin, and Justin Bogle have taken eight of the nine podium positions in the first three races (Joey Savatgy took Martin’s spot in Arlington).
With Savatgy fourth in the point standings – a full race (25 points) behind leader Musquin – it looks like a three-way battle to the end. And Bogle knows something about stealing the championship at the end of the season. Let’s look at how things went at the 2015 Daytona Supercross by Honda.
2015 Daytona 250SX Commentary, Upside
Marvin Musquin – Red Bull KTM: Musquin is continuing to dominate the 250 East Regional Series — he led every lap in his Heat, then did the same in the Main, and was never seriously challenged. Enthused Roczen from the podium, “It’s hard to believe but I’m not even tired, ‘cause when I ride like that, I know I can do the 15 laps good, and also I’m in good shape. I’m really happy!” He’s now one point shy of controlling his own destiny, and it’s hard not to root for the likeable French rider.
Justin Bogle – GEICO Honda: Bogle is riding well this season and hasn’t been off the box once, but he hasn’t pulled off a win, either. He’s mostly been battling with Jeremy Martin, and sits just one point behind him in the standings after taking second with a good start off the gate. Responding to Jenny Taft’s question as to whether he was satisfied with his finish, Bogle responded, “I’m happy with my finish and how I rode, I’’m not satisfied obviously until I’m winning. I think all of us are way too competitive for that. Keep grinding and hope to improve. Progression over perfection.”
RJ Hampshire – GEICO Honda – The hometown race brought out the best in Hampshire Saturday night, starting with a holeshot in his Heat which he turned into a win, despite a closing Martin on the last lap. In his post Heat-win interview, the rookie said, “From qualifying terrible to my first heat race win…just want to do the same thing in the Main event!” While he did not get the holeshot in the Main, he got off well in 3rd and battled with Joey Savatgy and Jimmy Decotis before eventually bringing his CRF250R to a career-best 5th place finish.
Jordon Smith – GEICO Honda: Teammate and fellow rookie, Smith made his first Main event of the season on Saturday and finished a respectable 12th. “I’m ready to build on that,” Smith said. “I learned a lot in Daytona. I’m really excited to get to Indy and try to put the things I learned in Daytona and Atlanta into practice. I’d like to keep building and learning as the season goes along and keep progressing.
2015 Daytona 250SX Commentary, Downside
Jeremy Martin – Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha: Yes, he got a third and was fast all night, but the mid-pack start meant he had to spend valuable time charging through the field. At the end of the day Martin had lost five points to series leader Musquin, and is now 12 points down. Finding the positive angle, Martin said of his night, “You learn more when you don’t win so you can come back during the week and be stronger next weekend.”
Martin Davalos – Rockstar Energy Racing Husqvarna: Continuing to have an up and down season, Davalos tipped over in a corner early in the race, losing a couple of positions, and finished the night in 10th, his worst result of the season. “Daytona is a tough race,” Davalos said. “It’s frustrating when I don’t ride like myself. My start wasn’t too bad in the main, but I tightened up and laid it over in main event. I lost a couple positions and struggled to recover.” A preseason favorite to battle for the 250SX East championship, Davalos is 41 points behind Musquin and 5th in the standings.
Arnaud Tonus – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki: Illness kept Tonus from racing at Daytona. A strong performer in the MX World Championship last year, Tonus has never gotten going in the 250SX championship. It has been a year to forget for the Swiss rider.
Matt Lemoine – JAB Motorsports Kawasaki: The year started off promising enough for the veteran with a 5th at Arlington. Unfortunately, it has been all downhill from there. Lemonie finished outside of the Top 10 at Atlanta II, and then crashed during the week and was unable to compete after attempting the first Daytona practice session. “I’m absolutely gutted,” Lemoine tweeted.
2015 Daytona Supercross 250SX Results:
1. Marvin Musquin – KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition
2. Justin Bogle – Honda CRF250R
3. Jeremy Martin – Yamaha YZ250F
4. Joey Savatgy – Kawasaki KX250F
5. RJ Hampshire – Honda CRF250R
6. Jimmy Decotis – Honda CRF250R
7. Kyle Peters – Honda CRF250R
8. Anthony Rodriguez – Yamaha YZ250F
9. Mitchell Oldenburg – Yamaha YZ250F
10. Martin Davalos – Husqvarna FC250
11. Kyle Cunningham – Honda CRF250R
12. Jordon Smith – Honda CRF250R
13. Vince Friese – Honda CRF250R
14. Luke Renzland – Yamaha YZ250F
15. Colt Nichols – Honda CRF250R
16. Gannon Audette – Kawasaki KX250F
17. Justin Starling – Yamaha YZ250F
18. Dakota Alix – KTM 250SX-F
19. Jace Owen – Honda CRF250R
20. AJ Catanzaro – Suzuki RM-Z250
21. Nick Gaines – Kawasaki KX250F
22. Nick Desiderio – Yamaha YZ250F
2015 250SX East Standings (after 4 of 9 rounds):
1. Marvin Musquin – 97 points
2. Jeremy Martin – 85
3. Justin Bole – 84
4. Joey Savatgy – 72
5. Martin Davalos – 56
6. RJ Hampshire – 54
7. Anthony Rodriques 47
8. Vince Friese – 46
9. Kyle Peters – 43
10. James Decotis – 42
