Insight: Marvin Musquin
Monday, March 11, 2013 | 11:00 AM
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PrintIt took longer than expected, but Red Bull KTM's Marvin Musquin has finally found the winners circle in 250SX. Musquin joins a long line of Frenchmen to win in supecross and is now just fourteen points back of Wil Hahn. Jason Weigandt caught up with Musquin after his historic win.
Racer X: You did it! You won a supercross!
Marvin Musquin: I think that’s the best one that I could win. I’m so glad. I’ve been dreaming about that race. Like I said, that’s a unique race and really famous race. I had a good day. That track was really technical and sandy. I really had fun, especially at the main event. I had an awesome start. I just start[ed] before the gate dropped, actually. I thought I was going to hit the gate.
Did you just guess?
I don’t know. I start[ed] before the gate dropped. That’s it. And then I got the holeshot. I knew [Dean] Wilson was behind me, Wil Hahn too. And then he started to be really close to me and I stayed really calm and found good lines. Then I started to pull away from him, and Wil Hahn too. And I did pretty much every lap the same lap time. I had so much fun, and that’s it. I had like a 15 second gap, so that’s crazy.
Musquin celebrated his first SX win in style.
Simon Cudby photo
You had races this year where in practice you were super fast and then in the main it didn’t happen. Here, you were okay in practice but in the main you were super fast. Can you point a finger at what changed there?
I was really smooth and like I said every lap was the same. I kept doing that triple over there after the wall. I thought it was really tough to do it, and then I kept jumping the triple. And like I said, smooth, and I pulled away from those guys. It was kind of surprising.
You’ve raced a variety of tracks. You’ve raced all over Europe, now you’ve raced all over here. What is this track like? It’s really kind of unique. Is it like anything you’ve raced before?
Well I raced last year on the 350 but it was really muddy. This year it was dry. Like I said, track was really cool and really technical. I like those tracks.
What does this do for you going forward? We figured you’d be a title contender, you’d win some races. Is this a boost?
Oh yeah, for sure. I just want to move on now to the next race and try to do the same thing and get a good start. Now I did it, so let’s do it again, for sure.
All smiles for Musquin after the race.
Simon Cudby photo
My last thing is Daytona, in the United States, this is a big deal. It’s NASCAR racing and all that. Not coming from the United States, is this a big race to you? Do you realize Daytona’s a big deal?
Yeah, it is. Like I said, I’ve been dreaming about winning that race…
Daytona specifically?
Yeah. I always watched that race. When riders win in Daytona they do a burn[out]. But I guess I messed up. I tried, but I was really bad on the burn[out]. I wish it could have been better. But anyway, I was so happy and I was screaming. I’m so happy for everybody, for my parents, who are in France and all my family, my friends, my brother, everybody. A lot of French people came here and I saw the French flag. It was really cool. Thanks to my wife, Frankie my mechanic, and all the team. They believe in me and I finally did it.
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Start? He came out of there before anybody moved. The dude has cat-like reflexes, just like me.
Really happy for MM25!! Marvin, its okay if you did a bad burnout, you rode a great race, after an awesome start! He is always smiling, gives credit to the competition and seems like a really genuine, down to earth kind of guy..hope to see the 25 on top of the podium a lot more in the future!!!
What a start! Simply jaw dropping. Unfortunately we didn't get to see much of Marvin on the live showing because the battles were elsewhere. But when they did show him he was hands down smoother than anyone else. Seemed like he just floated on the bike. Great race by a great guy, very happy for him and KTM.
I think that was probably the best start ever.. But that isnt the only reason he won.. That was a log race, if he wasnt felling it and completely flying, he doesnt win start or not.. He rode great, an almost perfect race.. Great to see Martin catch and pass Wilson too.. Hahn looked tough also, the guys got alot of confidence.. This is Musquins first win, wonder what this will do for his confidence??
Yep, the start was absolutely perfect, but I think that one went beyond skill and took some luck!
Best camera moment was the high-speed "mule cam" view with Wilson and Hahn battling - awesome to watch. Wilson sure didn't have the performance I was expecting. Maybe too much time playing mini-golf with Erin Bates?
Yeah, he shot out of the gate like he was shot out of a cannon. Congrats to Marvin for his win.
Holeshot or not.....it was Movin Marvin's day. He was on it from the drop of the gate to the drop of the checkers.....
Deano cased a jump around lap 7 or so, and bashed his face on the handlebar. Was never the same afterwards. He must have knocked himself silly for a while when Hahn and Martin got by him.
Congrats to Musquin. I really like his demeanor, respect to others, and his wanting to truly be a "World Champion".
Yeah, that was definitely a jaw-dropping start! It's good to see Marvin get a W under his belt. He's one of the nicest guys in the pits and definitely has the speed to back it up. How about that heel clicker?!
That start was amazing!! He had half a bike length on the entire field in the first 50 ft. He looked very smooth the entire race.
And that heel clicker into a one hander was nice!
Awesome, another one of the pulpmx post race podcasts recycled.
Haven't seen a holeshot like that since Fred Phange, unveiled his Super Combat Wombat at Chicken Lic's. Likeable kid good on him man.
Jordan It was cool to see the Candy Man pull that over the finish line jump! The Heel Clicker was a throw back to the Good Ole Days....
@joemotocross-I remember Fred and his Hodaka. But, if my memory serves me correctly, I believe his last name was spelled a bit more like Phalange. He hung out with Jimmy Mac alot.Those were the days, down at Chicken Licks.
@BD-Stopped by the postoffice this morning. I am thinking you must have called Sue, by now. Hope you are set!
@ViperDriver - This interview was done by Jason Weigandt. Steve Matthes is Pulp MX.
Good job Marvin ! The French redneck state (south west) is proud of you ! :)
Wilson hit his head so hard he forgot what accent to use.
Love to see first time winners! Its quite an accomplishment!
Congratulations Marvin, long due.
you seem to be a really down to earth guy, no BS.
Hope you into the next level now. Can't actually wait for the Nationals to start where I think you will be on the box a lot and maybe a title
@Bucky394,.....I should have known"
Hopefully, this year Marvin will start outdoors in one piece and in great shape. If that happens, I see him being a title threat this summer. Great ride
I've never been to bike week, but this race is in the heart of Americana. Glad he won it. Seems like a really good guy.
@Jason Weigandt; Nice interview, you really pulled out the emotion in mild mannered Marvin. He really needed this race if for no other reason than to boost his confidence, and prove to himself, by what only a win will do for anyone. I love watching his form out there. There seriously something about those French riders and that smooth effortless style by which they make it looked to damn easy. He looked that same way last year while riding Washougal. It's more like he (wills) the bike under him to do the things it does. It is an absolute pleasure to watch him when he's on. But who isn't, when they have that confidence, that makes it look too friggin easy. Congrats to Marvin and RedBull/KTM. Stay on that bubble man...