Image: Octopi Media.

After two years, Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin has found his way to the top step of the 450SX podium, taking the win in the first of two races in Salt Lake City.

After an up-and-down comeback season, Musquin found himself in the position to win tonight in the 16th round of the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross Championship and was able to hold off his teammate Cooper Webb to make it happen.

Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) grabbed the holeshot and took off to a lead early, with Musquin settling into second place. With 15 minutes to go, Roczen had stretched out a three-second lead over Musquin, with Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) three seconds back from the Duo in third.

As Webb maintained fourth place, Malcolm Stewart (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) began to charge, asking questions of Webb as the duo caught Anderson who was circulating in third. Webb made the move on Anderson and about that time, Roczen hit the ground out front, dropping him to sixth place.

A mistake by Anderson dropped him outside the top five allowing Stewart to slot into third. Out front, Webb caught Musquin and applied pressure but was unable to make a move, giving Musquin the win.

Stewart took third, notching the first 450SX podium of his career. Fourth place went to 450SX rookie Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) with fellow rookie Chase Sexton (Team Honda HRC) rounding out the top five after a big crash in practice.

Roczen ended the night in sixth, dropping 22-points back from Webb in the championship. Anderson recovered from his mistake to finish seventh place with Aaron Plessinger (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) ending up in eighth.

Dean Wilson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) continued his run of top 10 finishes in ninth as Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) took the final spot in the top 10. Justin Barcia ended up 14th after multiple crashes in the main event.

Webb will look to grab his second Monster Energy Supercross championship in the premier class next Saturday, 1 May, as the final round commences at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Detailed results