Marvin Musquin is the new 250-class points leader after winning both motos at Glen Helen. (Photography by Kit Palmer)
SAN BERNARDINO, CA (May 23, 2015) Marvin Musquin took control of the 250 class after winning both motos at the FMF Glen Helen National. The Red Bull KTM Team rider rode two near-flawless races, while first-round winner, Jeremy Martin, had nothing but problems.
Musquin passed Jessy Nelson eight laps into the first moto before going on to take the win, and he passed Alex Martin on the second lap of the second moto before cruising to victory for the 1-1 sweep. Musquin was flat-out fast and in control in both motos.
“I always like racing at Glen Helen,” said Musquin. “I remember coming here for the first time for the [FIM] USGP and won both motos. It’s great to do it again in the U.S. [AMA] Championship. The track was great and I really enjoyed it out there. The first moto was a great battle with Jessy [Nelson], and I finally was able to get the lead and win the moto. In the second moto I got a great start but made a little mistake early, but I recovered and got back out front. That allowed me to ride my own race.”
Red-plate holder Jeremy Martin, on the YamaLube/Star Racing Yamaha YZ250F, made the best out of two bad situations. In the first moto, Martin’s bike refused to stay running on the start line and after some quick repairs, was a few seconds late for the start of the race. He spent the entire motor working his way up through the pack and ended up finishing a remarkable fifth. He fell on the first lap of the second moto and had to work up through the field again, this time to sixth place. His 5-6 total gave him seventh on the day. He now trails Musquin by 19 points in the championship.
After a great start to the series last week at Hangtown, it was a tough second week for the YamaLube/Star Racing Yamaha Team, with Martin having his troubles, and Cooper Webb having to sit out with his injured ankle. He’s not expected to return until Budds Creek. The team’s Anthony Rodriguez was also a no-show after crashing earlier in the week and suffering a concussion, and Aaron Plessinger was far from 100-percent after crashing earlier in the week, as well. “It was a bad Tuesday,” said team manager Steve Lamson.
But it was a great day for the Red Bull KTM Team, with Justin Hill finishing second overall on the day behind teammate Musquin. Hill went 2-5.
Jessy Nelson made it an all-KTM podium by finishing third overall on his Lucas Oil/TLD KTM via 4-4 moto finishes.
The first non-KTM was Joey Savatgy on the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki. Savatgy grabbed fourth overall with a 3-7.
Alex Martin, on the CycleTrader/Rock River Yamaha, capped off his day with a second-place finish in the second moto, that combined with a first-moto 11th gave him fifth overall for the day.
Shane McElrath, Jeremy Martin, Matt Bisceglia, Kyle Peters and Adam Cianciarulo completed the top 10 overall.
Results
Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
FMF Glen Helen National
Glen Helen Raceway – San Bernardino, California
May 23, 2015
Round 2 of 12
250 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM (1-1)
2. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore. KTM (2-5)
3. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM (4-4)
4. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki (3-7)
5. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha (11-2)
6. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM (9-3)
7. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha (5-6)
8. Matt Bisceglia, Tualatin, Ore., Honda (6-11)
9. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda (7-12)
10. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki (12-10)
250 Class Championship Standings
1. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM, 97
2. Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha, 78
3. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha, 65
4. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Georgia, Kawasaki, 58
5. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore. KTM, 52
6. Chris Alldredge, Powell Butte, Ore., Kawasaki, 49
7. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., KTM, 46
8. Matt Bisceglia, Tualatin, Ore., Honda, 45
9. Shane McElrath, Canton, N.C., KTM, 44
10. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki, 42
