Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Marvin Musquin captured a top-five finish at Saturday’s Anaheim SX, serving as Round 6 of the 2022 AMA Supercross Championship.
Returning to Angel Stadium for the third time in six weeks, it was a battle for riders to excel in the unforgiving track conditions, but Musquin kept a steady pace to score his second-best finish of the season in fifth.
With a third-place start in 450SX Heat 1, the Frenchmen raced in third for the first five laps before passing into second on lap six. He rode strong aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to match a season-best heat-race finish in second.
Musquin wasted no time getting into podium contention in the Main Event as he moved into third on the opening lap.
Keeping the lead battle within striking distance ahead, Musquin rode a fast pace in the early laps, but he got caught up with a lapped rider and went down in the sand section, causing him to drop back to seventh on lap 12.
He fought his way back into the top-five battle midway through the race, and he continued to charge forward, making the pass for fifth with two laps to go. In the final two laps, he finished strong to secure a top-five finish in Anaheim.
Marvin
Marvin Musquin: “I felt like I was right there all day – the speed was good, and the feeling was good. In the Main, I got a decent start and put myself in a great position in third behind Tomac. Unfortunately, I went inside, hit a lapper, and went down and lost much ground. I’m thrilled with how I fought and rode, but it would have been a podium tonight without the mistake. It hurts a little, but we have to look at the positive, which was the speed and the fight I had.”
Defending 450SX Champion Cooper Webb grabbed a top-five start in 450SX Heat 1, and he made his way into fourth a few laps in. In the last two laps, he battled back-and-forth to secure a fifth-place transfer ultimately. Webb had a good jump in the Main Event, but he got shuffled into seventh on the opening lap. He fought inside the top-10 for the entire race, coming away with an eighth-place finish on the night.
Cooper
Cooper Webb: “It wasn’t the best night, I’m still struggling with some stuff, but we charged hard all day. I got a decent start in the main and kind of got shuffled back. It’s not where we want to be by any means, but I rode to the best of my ability tonight with what I’ve got, so we’ll go to Minneapolis and see if we can turn it around.”
Aaron Plessinger had a great start in 450SX Heat 2, charging his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION into second place early on. Pressuring the leader, Plessinger rode a solid and steady pace to finish second in the heat. In the Main Event, Plessinger got a mid-pack start, and he made his way into ninth on the opening lap. He maintained that same position throughout the race, finishing ninth.
Aaron
Aaron Plessinger: “I was feeling perfect for tonight. I qualified the best I have this year, and I rode well in the heat race ended up second. I felt perfect and confident in the main, but I just got out there and didn’t ride like myself – Made many mistakes and just didn’t execute. Need to be better. I’m going to work on it this week and come out swinging in Minneapolis.”
Next Race: February 19 – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Results 450SX Class – Anaheim SX
- 1. Jason Anderson (USA), Kawasaki, 22 laps
- 2. Eli Tomac (USA), Yamaha, +03.481
- 3. Justin Barcia (USA), GASGAS, +09.630
OTHER KTM
- 5. Marvin Musquin (FRA), KTM
- 8. Cooper Webb (USA), KTM
- 9. Aaron Plessinger (USA), KTM
- 13. Max Anstie (GBR), KTM
- 14. Shane McElrath (USA), KTM
Standings 450SX Class 2022 after 6 of 17 rounds
- 1. Eli Tomac, 134 points
- 2. Jason Anderson, 122
- 3. Chase Sexton, 116
OTHER KTM
- 6. Cooper Webb, 103
- 7. Marvin Musquin, 98
- 10. Aaron Plessinger, 81
- 12. Shane McElrath, 59
- 13. Max Anstie, 54
- 18. Joey Savatgy, 27
via KTM press
