Page 20 - Issue_63

MARVIN MUSQUIN
450 SX / 5TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> The world of competitive athletics is that of a food chain, with the largest and most powerful domain standing atop as the predator. To survive, you must bear the elements of both nature and its surroundings, looking at both climate and the opposition as the enemy. Darwin’s theory couldn’t be truer, especially in regards to Supercross. Not only do the open stadiums and different compositions of soils provide outlying matters you must adapt to, but there are always numerous others at your doorstep; looking to take what’s yours, and keep it for their undertaking. Marvin Musquin knows what it takes to survive among the tough-
est of circumstance, in the realm of motocross that is. Pushing through instances of broken bones, flat tires, and come from behind moto victories, the idea of being down and out is nothing new to him. If he could demonstrate those qualities to get to this point in his career, there shouldn’t be any problem in continuing these attributes. Practice saw him taking no one lightly, regardless of two-digit factory star, or box-van privateer; they all could be pushed to the side, and shoved out of his respective path. His double, tabletop-triple combination in the section prior to the finish line shaved valued time, the way he could scrub the foot peg up the respective takeoff. With the checkered flag waving, he knew he had more to give, but was satisfied going into the heat race. The television cameras began to pan, scoping the gate left and right, he was ready; it would fall, and he wouldn’t shutoff until the last possible second. Surround by the best in the world, he would stay atop the whoops in third gear, let- ting the chassis follow suit of his throttle hand. Arcing the turns with outrageous propulsion, the wind he created down the mechanics area straight, nearly took the headphones of the ears of every crewmember in sight. With Bowers trailing his knobby tread, he would bring home the sixth place finish. As the dealer would provide the hand, he revealed his cards, looking to sweep the rest of the table. The pack, swarming around the left handed first turn, hit the slightly slanting rhythm lane, dodging and weaving one another. Hunting for those fif- ty-five second lap times, the margin of error was lengthening, as the track would deteriorate. The ruts really began to develop on the exit of the corners, where riders like himself were chopping the throttle and getting in to the core of the power. Hovering in the front of the field, he found company both front and behind, including the likes of Musquin and Brayton. A true testament to his almighty grit, dealing with the shoulder issue, he fought on bringing home fifth place overall.
20 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 28, 2018