Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/861665
VOL. 54 ISSUE 32 AUGUST 15, 2017 P67 My Own Race: 25 MARVIN MUSQUIN 1ST (1-1) 450MX "Today was really tough, but I did have fun," said 450MX-class winner Marvin Musquin. "It poured so hard and I understand why they had to red flag the first moto because of the lightning. We were late starting the second moto because of the storm, but once the gate dropped I did my best to grab the holeshot and lead early on. I knew I needed to ride a smart race out front and not get passed in order to make it a bit easier on myself in all the mud. In moto one, I had good battles with Baggett and in the second moto I know Davalos was right there behind me many times. I just wanted to control my races and I think that's what I did. Nothing came easy though. I nearly crashed on the last lap of moto two, it was so close, but thankfully was able to keep it together and finish in front. I'm really pleased with myself to go 1-1 in these conditions today; they were tough." 191 JUSTIN COOPER 5TH (12-2) 250MX After earning top-amateur honors at the Loretta Lynn's Amateur Nationals last week, Justin Cooper made his pro debut for Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha at Unadilla—about the closest he has to a "home race" on the circuit, coming from a couple-hundred miles away in New York's Cold Spring Harbor. Despite the weather, Cooper exceeded expec- tations, going 12-2 for fifth overall. "Well, the start killed me in the first one, but I was able to get out front with Jeremy [Martin] and pace off him [in the second moto]," Cooper said. "I tried going after him a couple times, but the track was just a little too one-lined. It was just hard to pass out there. Just tried to take it easy and be smart. I didn't really want to fall anyway." 108 DYLAN FERRANDIS 4TH (6-3) 250MX Many expected Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis to be strong in the mud, and he was, but he wasn't the strongest. "Everybody saying 'It's a European track' because of the mud, but European or not, for everybody it's the same," Ferrandis, now fourth in points, said. "It was a big challenge this moto, but it could be worse. The water doesn't stay that much on the track, so I think not a bad result on the track today. The start was really important. I managed a good start. First lap I had so much [roost]. I had to use my tear-offs. The other guy passed me, so I had to fight all the moto to get back. I'm sad not to make the podium today." 2 COOPER WEBB 4TH (7-3) 450MX Chaparral Yamaha's Cooper Webb practiced in the mud down in North Carolina prior to the Unadilla round, and he was also aided by his mechanic, Eric Gass, returning to the fray after breaking his collarbone early in the series riding his mountain bike. "Somehow a short guy kept it on two wheels," Webb said of his late-race charge in moto two that saw him move from sixth to third in just a few laps. "It's been an up-and-down year, for sure, but it's just nice to be back here on the podium. I like the mud, so it's cool to go out here. We actually practiced in it this week. We got some rain in North Carolina, so good practice." 15 DEAN WILSON 6TH (9-4) 450MX Rockstar Energy Husqvarna's Dean Wilson is having a banner year. He set out just want- ing to finish every race, and with just two races to go, he sits a solid fourth in the 450MX standings. At Unadilla, he went 9-4 for sixth overall. "For me, it was survival," he said of the second moto. "I'm really thankful I got a good start in that second moto because, as you can see, it's really hard to see out there. I wasn't even getting roosted that bad and it was tough. So yeah, mud's not really my strong suit, to be honest, so a good start really helped me. I hated to give up that third place, but I was just riding a little bit in the mud. I feel like my riding is really good at the moment and I feel like I should be up there, but I'm working hard and we'll keep going for next weekend."