Musquin wins MX2 title in Lierop; second major MX title for KTM this season

by Jon Crowley on 08/09/10 at 5:49 am

Red Bull KTM factory rider Marvin Musquin was handed the MX2 title in Lierop, Netherlands on Sunday in the day’s first moto of the GP of Benelux when his arch rival Ken Roczen exited the race in the sixth lap. As Marvin started with a 72-point lead over the young German, the rest of the race for the title was just a formality.

Marvin rode into third place in the second moto to finish the day in second place for the GP, while the win went to Gautier Paulin. KTM rider Joel Roelants of JM Racing was third.

“Two titles in two years, that’s really great for me, also for KTM and Red Bull. It was a great season and I rode well all year, although this wasn’t so easy in the last GPs. The bike has been fantastic and now I go to Italy for the final round and of course I also want to win there,” the new MX2 world champion said.

2nd world title for KTM

Musquin’s overall victory was the second world championship honor for KTM within two weeks after Tony Cairoli secured the MX1 title in Brazil in the last round. It was the first time that the Orange manufacturer had won both the MX1 and MX2 championships in a single season and a testament to the quality of the factory team management, riders and support staff and of the latest generation KTM offroad machines. With Musquin and Cairoli as 2011 world champions, KTM also secured the Manufacturer’s title in both classes to round off what has been a superb Orange season.

Musquin masters soft sand

Musquin had got away well in the first moto on the treacherously tricky circuit of Lierop where the soft sand redefines the expression riding the waves and places a serious obstacle in the way of any rider who takes his mind off the job for a split second. First at the first corner some 80 meters from the start gate, Musquin, who was aware that he had to find the balance of being both fast and still arriving at the checkered flag unscathed, let Roczen take the lead after several laps. Despite his proven dexterity, the French rider made a spectacular save after the front of his bike bit into the loose sand about half way through the race distance. Then in a dramatic turn of events, Roczen’s bike stopped as he looked assured of a moto win and a slight encroachment on Marvin’s points and the KTM team raised the banners and got ready to celebrate their new hero.

Musquin’s factory teammate Shaun Simpson had a good day’s ride on the tough Lierop sand despite an injured shoulder and finished overall fourth

Two titles a dream come true says KTM’s Beirer

Pit Beirer, who is in charge of the KTM offroad program said he was almost without words to express how he felt after KTM winning the second world major title. “Its like a dream come true to win both titles and both manufacturers titles in this high class professional sport. Also to get the final okay from Roger DeCoster that he will join KTM, well this is a historical moment for KTM.”

Earlier in the day KTM announced at a press conference in Lierop that Roger DeCoster, an iconic figure in the sport and a manager with almost unprecedented success had been signed to take over the management of the KTM factory team to race in the USA next season.

MX2 GP of Benelux Lierop, Netherlands

1, Gautier Paulin, France, Yamaha 25-20—45

2, Marvin Musquin, France, KTM, 20-22—42 = Marvin is MX2 World Champion after 1st moto.

3, Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM, 22-18—40

4, Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM, 18-14—32

5. Harri Kullas, Finland, Yamaha, 14-16—30

Other KTM

9, Valentin Teillet, France, KTM, 9-12—21

10, Jake Nichols, Britain, KTM, 8-11—19

Championship standings

1, Marvin Musquin, France, KTM 613 (WORLD CHAMPION)

2, Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki, 524

3, Steven Frossard, France, Kawasaki, 446

4, Jeffrey Herlings, Netherlands, KTM, 391

5, Zach Osborne, USA; 368

Other KTM

6, Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM, 366

7, Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM, 361

MX2 Manufacturer’s standings

1, KTM 664 points (KTM wins title)

2, Suzuki, 563 Points

3, Yamaha, 495

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