HOUSTON, Texas – Red Bull KTM Factory rider Marvin Musquin earned a hard fought 3rd overall after rebounding from a crash early in the race at the seventh round of the Monster Energy East 250SX Supercross Series held at Reliant Stadium.
Marvin Musquin, who qualified with the fastest practice time, was placed in the second 250SX Supercross heat where he had first gate pick. His prime gate choice paid off as he pulled the holeshot and led the way around the first corner to jump out to an early lead. He continued to lead the heat for the remaining six laps to take the win and a great gate pick for the main event.
When the gate dropped for the main event, Musquin launched his KTM 250 SX-F off the gate to a second place start. He and Blake Wharton quickly moved around the early leader to move into the top positions. The two riders began an aggressive battle for the next five laps before Musquin made a big mistake coming out of the whoop section where he clipped the tuff blocks rounding the corner and suffered a crash. He collected his bike and reentered the race only losing one position. He spent the remainder of the race trying to reel in the leaders but was not able to get back into the battle. At the end of the fifteen lap event, he held on to finish 3rd. With two rounds remaining, he continues to hold second in the championship standings only eight points down from the leader.
“The track was really good today and I enjoyed the whoops in practice and in the heat but they became very tricky in the main event. Unfortunately, they got the best of me and caused me to crash. I am bummed because I know I had faster lap times than Blake and Wil, but unfortunately, I made a mistake and wasn’t able to catch back up to them today. I am now eight points back so I am definitely going to have to get back on the top step at the remaining rounds,” remarked Musquin.
Next Round: Minneapolis, MN – April 13, 2013
Results 250SX Class Houston
1. Blake Wharton (USA), Suzuki, 13:39.839 min (15 laps)
2. William Hahn (USA), Honda, +0.730 sec
3. Marvin Musquin (F), KTM, +4.428
4. Tyler Bowers (USA), Kawasaki, +18.567
5. Gavin Faith (USA), Honda, +31.786
Other KTM
8. Lance Vincent (USA), KTM, +44.787
10. Steven Clarke (USA), KTM, +51.893
16. Bradley Ripple (USA), KTM, 14 laps, +20.688
Standings 250SX Class after 7 of 9 rounds
1. Hahn, 156 points
2. Musquin, 148
3. Wharton, 133
4. Vince Friese (USA), Honda, 89
5. Dean Wilson (USA), Kawasaki, 87
Other KTM
14. Vincent, 51
20. Clarke, 27
29. Ripple, 7