INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team made big strides on Saturday with a successful night of racing at Round 12 of the AMA Supercross Championship in Indianapolis. Marvin Musquin led the team to its second 450SX victory of the season with a commanding win in the Main Event. His teammate, Broc Tickle, matched his best finish of the season with 5th, despite holding a podium-position for nearly half of the race.
Musquin had a favorable start to the day as he topped the 450SX qualifying during the final practice session. From there, Musquin climbed his way to a 4th place transfer spot in 450SX Heat 2 after getting pinched off on the start. Musquin took only the positives into the evening’s Main Event as he shot off the line to capture the holeshot aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. With Eli Tomac hot on his heels throughout the first half of the race, Musquin handled the pressure well as he maintained a solid pace out front. Tomac eventually went down, giving Musquin some breathing room for the second half of the race. After 27 laps, Musquin ultimately finished 29 seconds ahead of the 2nd place finisher, Dean Wilson. Musquin’s impressive performance allowed him to shave seven points off Jason Anderson’s lead in the overall 450SX Championship as the series heads into its final five rounds of 2018.
Musquin: “To be honest, I’ve been waiting for that win for a long time. The last win was at Anaheim I and I felt like I was riding better and better after I got used to the dislocated shoulder. I feel like I’m definitely capable of winning but you have to put everything together, and that’s not easy, but today it was good. We got the bike better this weekend and in the last practice I was riding really smooth and I was the fastest, so I was really happy. I knew I needed a good start and to race my own race and I was able to do that tonight, it’s good to be back on top.”
It was a solid day all-around for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Broc Tickle. With a 3rd place finish in 450SX Heat 1, Tickle went into the Main Event with great momentum behind him. Off the start, Tickle settled just inside the top-ten and began his climb toward the front. By the halfway point, Tickle was able to put himself into 3rd where he set his sights on the 2nd place position. Tickle eventually passed Dean Wilson to take over the 2nd place position comfortably but a mistake allowed Wilson to catch back up and engage in a physical battle for the position. The two riders came together in a corner and Tickle went down, thus dropping back to 6th place with six laps to go. Tickle was able to remount and ultimately regain one position, ultimately finishing 5th for the night.
Tickle: “I’m really happy with my riding tonight. I felt like I had 2nd wrapped up but I crashed by myself and put myself into a situation where I got into it with another rider and ended up going back to 6th. Overall, I’m really happy with the progress and I’m building confidence in the right direction to end the season strong. I’m looking forward to these last five rounds to snag some podiums.”
250SX E/W Showdown
Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordon Smith gained two valuable points in the 250SX East Championship on Saturday with a 4th place finish in the combined East and West Showdown Main Event. Smith battled inside the top five throughout the entire race, ultimately finishing 4th in a stacked field of young talent from both coasts.
It was a tough day for teammates Shane McElrath and Sean Cantrell, who both ran into issues on the opening lap of the Main Event. McElrath was able to make his way up to 13th overall, where he sits in 4th place in the 250SX West Championship Standings. Cantrell began working his way through the pack but a big crash kept him from finishing the Main Event.
1. Marvin Musquin, KTM
2. Dean Wilson, Husqvarna
3. Justin Brayton, Honda
4,. Jason Anderson, Husqvarna
5. Broc Tickle, KTM
Other KTM
8. Benny Bloss, KTM
10. Blake Baggett, KTM
19. Cody Vanbuskirk, KTM
450SX Standings after 12 of 17 rounds
1. Anderson, 265 points
2. Musquin, 230
3. Brayton, 210
4. Tomac, 194
5. Baggett, 194
Other KTM
7. Tickle, 165
18. Bloss, 78
250SX East/West Shootout Main Event Results – Indianapolis 2018
1. Jeremy Martin, Honda
2. Adam Cianciarulo, Kawasaki
3. Luke Renzland, Yamaha
4. Jordon Smith, KTM
Other KTM
13. Shane McElrath, KTM
15. Anthony Rodriguez, KTM
20. Sean Cantrell, KTM
250SX East Standings
1. Osborne, 131 points
2. Forkner, 124 points
3. Smith, 121
4. Martin, 112
5. Renzland, 92
Other KTM
7. Cantrell, 59
14. Rodriguez, 39
250SX West Standings
1. Aaron Plessinger, 151 points
2. Joey Savatgy, 142
3. Adam Cianciarulo, 139
4. Shane McElrath, 127
5. Chase Sexton, 109
