Marvin Musquin needs no introduction. The talented rider from France came over to America after winning multiple World Championships, hoping to find success on our sport’s biggest stage. During the past decade, Musquin won a 250SX Championship, multiple 450SX main events, and several outdoor nationals. Now retired from full-time racing, it’s safe to say that Musquin certainly left his mark on the sport of motocross and supercross. Last week, at the 2024 Walton TransCan, KTM Canada brought Marvin out to Walton Raceway to participate in the festivities and race the FXR Pre-Mix class on Sunday at the final round of the Triple Crown Series. The fans loved having Musquin at Walton Raceway, and we were able to catch up with him on Sunday evening.
MXP: Hey Marvin! First off, it was great having you here this week. The kids loved hanging out with you, and the fans loved watching you race today. Overall, what did you think of your first visit to Walton Raceway?
MM: I mean, it was great to be here this week and see what this event is all about. I’ve heard much about it over the years, so seeing it in person was pretty cool.
Canadians have a general reputation for being nice and polite. Did we live up to that during the time that you’ve been here?
I think so! Everyone has been very kind to my family and me, and the vibe here this week has been great. It’s also been fun to be around the race team, especially this weekend when they were in a position to win both championships.
Part of what is really cool about this event is that once the Amateur racing is done on Saturday, the Pro racing takes place on Sunday. This doesn’t happen anywhere else on the planet. What are your thoughts on this event as a whole?
Like you said, it’s a unique format, and it certainly was exciting to watch and be a part of it today. Everything is very cool, from amateur racing to the WMX and Pre-Mix classes and, of course, pro racing. All of it was very cool.
With both Kaven Benoit and Jess Pettis going for titles today, was it a little tense around the KTM paddock today?
I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary to be honest. The riders were focused and professional, and they were able to get the job done. It’s not easy winning a championship, so I thought everyone performed very well today. I just tried to stay out of the way and do what I had to do.
You had a very successful career racing all over the World. You’ve won MXGP’s, Supercross main event, Outdoor Nationals, and now you can add a Triple Crown Series FXR Pre-Mix class OA win to your resume. How was racing that KTM 150 today?
It was tough for sure! The track was really challenging with the ruts and the layout, and since I didn’t have that much time on the bike, it took me a little bit to adapt. But, overall, it was fun, and I really enjoyed both motos. Obviously, I don’t race much anymore, and lately, I haven’t even been riding much. Coming here and getting a chance to not only ride but also race was a lot of fun.
You have a style and a cerebral way of riding that really suits challenging and technique tracks. Was this track easy to figure out today?
I wouldn’t say it was easy, as the ruts were deep, and with the dirt being so sticky, it was hard to maintain speed on the two-stroke. But it was fun once I had a clear track and found some flow. Overall, it was an awesome experience, and my family and I enjoyed the week here in Canada.
One last question for you. You’ve had some big wins in your career. I know it might be hard to pick one, but if you had to, which one would perhaps stand out as your most memorable?
That is a great question. My 450SX wins certainly mean a lot, as growing up, I used to dream about winning a SX in the USA. But, in 2015, when Team France won the MXON on our home soil, it was probably the biggest win of my career. Being a part of that team and winning in front of our fans, was truly incredible.
That must have been amazing. It was great having you here, and hopefully, this will become an annual visit for you. Thank you for your time, and safe travels home.
Thank you! I just also want to thank everyone here for their hospitality. It was great to come up to your biggest race of the year and be a part of everything. Hopefully, we can return again in the future.
