Musquin returns to MX2 GP racing on KTM; snatches double victory in Lommel

Press Release

After missing the last races at Uddevalla, Sweden, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Marvin Musquin of France was in winning form on the soft and tricky sand of Lommel Belgium to dominate the Mx2 GP on Sunday and return triumphantly to the top of the podium.

Joel Roelants of the KTM Factory Junior Team was second behind Musquin while Rui Goncalves of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing just missed the podium, finishing in fourth place. Despite missing the last GP, Musquin now has a 38-point lead in the championship standings with six races (three rounds and 150 points) still up for grabs.  Goncalves, the factory team's Portuguese rider is in second place, 11 points ahead of Gautier Paulin of France.
 
Musquin dismisses the critics

With two impressive rides on Sunday, Musquin dismissed any critics that raised doubts about his ability on sand by dominating both motos for a clear and decisive 50-point tally in the twelfth round of the current season. The 19-year-old rider drew special praise from the KTM offroad Director Pit Beirer not only for his victory on the Lommel circuit but also because be has successfully come through some difficult negotiations involving switching teams. "Marvin is very strong mentally and he has been through a lot in the past weeks. He has given us a strong commitment and the results on the track today are the best answer to any of his critics," Beirer said.  

Good training, perfect bike says Musquin

"I missed one GP but I came back strong and I am very satisfied with my result. My training has been going very well lately and my bike and the suspension are perfect," Musquin said. "Even though this is a very bumpy track I had no problems with the bike and for this I would like to thank my team and their great support. Now I have signed my contract (with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) for the next two years so I am very concentrated and relaxed." The young French rider said he was pleased to have delivered such a strong result in the sand after finishing only seventh in the soft sand at Valkenswaard at the GP of Benelux earlier in the season. "Maybe this result today has something to do with the bike," the newest member of the Red Bull KTM team line-up said.
 
Roelants strong on home circuit

It was also a very strong result for Roelants on the circuit that is his home territory. "It's great to be on the podium although I did expect to do well here at home," the young Belgian said. Roelants won his podium second place with an excellent 3-2 result in the two motos. "I tried hard to catch Rui in the first moto but I didn't manage it. Then in the second I tried to catch Marvin because I really wanted to win but he was just too fast. I am now going to concentrate of having a good result at Loket and I will try to beat Marvin when we race again on sand at Lierop," he said.

Rui battles stomach cramps in second moto

At the end of the day, Rui Goncalves had to settle for fourth place and in the second moto he had difficulties with stomach cramps and nausea. "Five minutes into the race I got the stomach cramps and after that I really struggled. I had no power and I was riding on the limit the whole time," he commented after the race. He also had trouble in the first heat where rain on the soft circuit created a real visibility issue. "I had to get rid of my goggles in the first lap and it was very tough going."
 
Strong basis for what can be the best team in the paddock, Beirer says.
After the day's racing, KTM's Offroad Director Pit Beirer offered congratulations to team boss Stefan Everts and the entire team, saying: "Now for sure we are putting together the basis of what can be the best team in the paddock. Winning three out of four races in Lommel (Max Nagl won the second MX1 moto) was a fantastic result for us and when we have results like this all the best riders want to be with us."
 
MX2 GP Results:

1. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM, 25-25—50
2. Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM, 20-22—42
3. Dennis Verbruggen, Belgium, Honda, 16-20—36
4. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM, 22-13—35
5. Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki, 15-15—30

Other KTM

10. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM, 18-5—23
12. Antony Boissiere, France, KTM, 9-9—18
13. Marcus Schiffer, Germany, KTM, 0-16—16
16. Jake Nicholls, Britain, KTM, 10-0--10
18. Arnaud Tonus, Switzerland, KTM, 0-6—6
19. Valentin Teillet, France, KTM, 5-0—5
 
Championship standings after Round 12:

1. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM 421
2. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM 383
3. Gautier Paulin, France, Kawasaki, 372
4. Davide Guarneri, Italy, Yamaha, 357
5. Steven Frossard, France, 284