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MARVIN MUSQUIN
450 MX / 12TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / TILLS
>> Marvin Musquin went from KTMs #2 rider to #1 rider after Ryan Dungey an- nounced his retirement. Many where unsure how Marvin would do. The Frenchman has since put in some of the best rides in his career and was even the points leader just a few rounds ago. Since then Marvin has been fighting a knee injury and just when it looks like he could be returning to his normal form something else happens.
Musquin went down early in moto one while his championship rivals where at the front of the field. Marvin dug deep and fought hard to limit the damage and keep himself
in contention for the title. Midway through the race Marvin went from near last to 7th. A few laps later and Musquin was in 5th chasing down Barcia. Less then ten minutes where left on the clock and MM25 started to close the gap considerably on Barcia for fourth and with just a half a lap to go it looked like a showdown between the two was about to commence. Fortunately for Musquin he didn’t have to fight with Barcia too hard to get the position as BamBams bike ran out of gas with just a half a lap to go. Marvin was the fastest rider on the track the entire race next to Tomac. So it looked like the fans where in for a treat in moto #2 as Musquin grabbed the holeshot ahead of Baggett and Tomac was just a few positions behind. Marvin began to open up a gap right away on Baggett. After ten minutes of racing Baggett began to close the gap on Musquin bringing the points leader Eli Tomac with him. Tomac got by Baggett and was onto Marvin. The Frenchman did pick up his pace considerably when Tomac made
his push for the lead but he still couldn’t hold off the #3. Shortly after being passed
for the lead Marvin was nowhere in sight. Eventually he was found back in the pack rolling jumps with his rad braces flapping and his right leg dangling off the foot pegs.
It was clear that either the bike or Musquin could no longer fight on this day. A replay later shown that Marvin was thrown off his KTM machine in a high speed section. Marv landed on flat ground which more then likely re-aggravated his lingering injury. Marvin had to pull into the pits because his bike was so badly bent out of shape. You could see an all time high of frustration in the eyes of the #25 as he pulled off his helmet shortly after entering the pit area. Musquins title hopes pretty well left with him after round 7.
60 GRITMOTO • JULY 9, 2017