Photography by Mike Emery
Jeremy Martin and Justin Bogle are keeping him honest, but so far Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin is holding up very well under pressure. Atlanta II was his best outing so far. The Frenchman not only won in convincing fashion – by 4.354 seconds over Martin – he also extended his points lead to seven points over Martin after three rounds of Monster Energy 250 East Supercross action. Bogle, who finished third, is hanging tough, only 10 points out of the lead. Early indications are pointing towards one of this trio heading towards the title.
Musquin captured the Supercrosslive.com Holeshot Award in the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Main Event with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy on his rear wheel. As Savatgy ran into traffic, his teammate Arnaud Tonus took over the number-two position.
Harley-Davidson/Trail Jesters/SOB MX’s Jimmy Decotis quickly moved into third place on the opening lap. On Lap 3, last week’s winner, Jeremy Martin, advanced to second place, passing Tonus. Defending Eastern Regional 250SX Class Champion Justin Bogle put his GEICO Honda in third place on Lap 4.
Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Martin finished second, while Bogle finished third for the second consecutive weekend.
“I made some passes in the early part of the race to get up front,” said Martin. “I tried to run Marvin [Musquin] down but he was the better man tonight.”
Musquin gave KTM their first-ever win in Atlanta and the sixth win of his career.
“I was so mad at myself for going down in my Heat race,” Musquin admitted. “That put me pretty far inside (on the gate), but I knew I could get the holeshot. It wasn’t my best start, but I pushed really hard through the first turn and I’m really proud of myself, because it’s tough when you do a bad Heat race you get back to the truck and you don’t want to talk to anybody. I’m really glad to win tonight. I got a great start and that track was tough. The whoops were really sketchy. I thank my whole Red Bull KTM team. I’m having so much fun. I’m still leading the championship, so I’ve got to keep it going.”
The series moves to Daytona International Speedway next weekend.
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results: Atlanta
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
- Jeremy Martin, Millville., Minn., Yamaha
- Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
- Joey Savatgy Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki
- James Decotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda
- Martin Davalos, Corona, Calif., Husqvarna
- Arnaud Tonus, Aire-la-Ville, Switzerland, Kawasaki
- Anthony Rodriguez, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha
- RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Honda, Honda
- Luke Renzland, Hewitt, N.J., Yamaha
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Season Standings
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM, 72
- Jeremy Martin, Millville., Minn., Yamaha, 65
- Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda, 62
- Joey Savatgy Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki, 54
- Martin Davalos, Corona, Calif., Husqvarna, 45
- Matt Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Kawasaki, 39
- Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda, 38
- Arnaud Tonus, Aire-la-Ville, Switzerland, Kawasaki, 38
- RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Honda, Honda, 38
- Anthony Rodriguez, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha, 34
