Page 20 - Issue45

MARVIN MUSQUIN
450 SX / 4TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / WILSON
>> It has been quite the up and down year for Marvin Musquin. The rider hailing from France has earned his first two career main event wins on a 450 but has also had some finishes outside of the top ten due to a bout with the flu midsea- son. For the most part, Musquin has been right at the top of the field week in and week out and securing his fair share of podiums. He entered Easter break with a huge win on the rough and nasty course in Seattle so he was looking to carry that momentum through the break and into Salt Lake City.
Musquin looked great in qualifying practice like he so often does. He notched the fourth best lap time of the day and primed himself to do battle with the best during the night show. Musquin suffered an average start in his heat race rounding lap one in sixth position. He had a little ground to make up if he wanted to transfer straight through to the main event. He needed fourth or better so looked to make it happen. He passed Friese in the first few laps and then focused on reeling in Brayton. The two riders duked it out during the last two laps for the final transfer and it would be Musquin that would win that battle and secure the position. He was headed right to the main.
In the main event, Musquin suffered a dreadful start. He was virtually the last rider entering the first turn. It was highly unusual because he is usually such an efficient starter. He would go out and display his speed on his journey through the field. He quietly made pass after pass before stumbling upon Josh Grant late in the race. Grant sure did not make it easy on him and the two riders exchanged in an epic battle for a few laps that included some bar banging. Eventually Musquin wrestled the position away and took fourth place. He would hold on to finish there in a very impressive come from behind ride. He was probably bummed he did not podium after that win but it was a great ride nonetheless.
20 GRITMOTO • APRIL 23, 2017