Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Marvin Musquin became just the second rider in the seven-year history of the Monster Energy Cup to score the $1 million bonus by winning all three 10 lap Monster Energy Cup main events in front of a capacity crowd at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday night.
The win capped off a fantastic season for the French rider, who claimed two main event victories during the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series en route to a third-place finish in the premier class points standings. Musquin also put together a strong run in the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross where he scored his debut win in the 450cc class and later put together three straight moto sweeps to earn a total of four overall wins and finish second in the series points standings despite suffering a meniscus tear during the season.
Musquin was obviously in perfect form on the tricky and technical, Ricky Carmichael-designed Monster Energy Cup track at Sam Boyd Stadium, however, as he would fail to lead only two laps during the entire night of racing, and it was clear that he was ready to finish higher than the third place that he earned during the 2016 Monster Energy Cup.
2017 Monster Energy Cup Main Event #1
Reigning Monster Energy Cup Champion Eli Tomac would present the strongest challenge to Musquin all night. The two battled briefly in the first of the three 10-lap main events as Tomac moved into the race lead, and appeared to be running a strong pace. However, a red flag for fallen Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki rider Justin Bogle forced the riders to return to the starting gate for a full race restart.
Musquin and Tomac once again got to the front, and Musquin asserted himself early by taking the lead. Tomac appeared to be able to maintain Musquin’s pace, but Tomac’s chances for a repeat Monster Energy Cup victory were dashed when he got loose and hit the ground hard just as he was re-entering the stadium behind Musquin on lap four.
That put Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson up to second place and former MXGP World Champion Tim Gasjer and his Team Honda HRC ride into third place. Gasjer would later mis-time a jump and in the rhythm section along the main grandstand side of the track and suffer a grinding crash with three laps to go, allowing Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Dean Wilson, the night’s fast qualifier, to take over third place. Musquin went on to win, followed by Anderson and Wilson.
2017 Monster Energy Cup Main Event #1 Results:
1. Marvin Musquin-KTM
2. Jason Anderson-Hus
3. Dean Wilson-KTM
4. Broc Tickle-KTM
5. Jordon Smith-KTM
6. Josh Grant-Kaw
7. Benny Bloss-KTM
8. Vince Friese-Hon
9. Christian Craig-Hon
10. Justin Barcia-Hon
11. Justin Hoeft-Yam
12. Tyler Bowers-Kaw
13. Jacob Hayes-Kaw
14. Alex Ray-Yam
15. Chase Marquier-Hon
16. Cyrille Coulon-Suz
17. Chris Blose-Hon
18. Fredrik Noren-Hon
19. Tim Gasjer-Hon
20. Cole Martinez-Yam
21. Eli Tomac-Kaw
22. Justin Bogle-Suz
2017 Monster Energy Cup Main Event #2
Musquin jumped out to a strong lead in the second Monster Energy Cup main event with new Red Bull KTM teammate Broc Tickle right behind him, but Anderson quickly moved into second place and appeared to be close enough to Musquin to allow him to be a threat early in the race. Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM’s Jordon Smith was off to a much better start as he ran fourth just ahead of Barcia Racing Honda’s Justin Barcia.
Musquin appeared to be mostly smooth and fluid as the race wore on, and while Anderson was able to hold the gap to about 2 seconds through the first five laps, Musquin soon began to stretch lead to over 4 seconds by the finish, giving himself a serious leg up on the $1 Million bonus for winning all three mains. Tickle followed Anderson across the line for third place. Smith held on for fourth and Wilson came through from a mediocre start to finish fifth and keep his podium hopes alive.
“I just don’t know how it’s going to be for this third moto because it is so tight coming into the first turn,” Musquin said. “But, hey, we’ll try our best. We’re here to play. It’s Vegas, and it’s like a game right now. We’ll try to be safe obviously. It’s not a championship race, but it’s a fun race. The fans are enjoying it, and I’m enjoying it too, so hopefully we’ll get one more [win].”
Monster Energy Cup Main Event #2 Results:
1. Marvin Musquin-KTM
2. Jason Anderson-Hus
3. Broc Tickle-KTM
4. Jordon Smith-KTM
5. Dean Wilson-Hus
6. Justin Barcia-Hon
7. Josh Grant-Kaw
8. Benny Bloss-KTM
9. Tyler Bowers-Yam
10. Vince Friese-Hon
11. Justin Hoeft-Yam
12. Fredrik Noren-Hon
13. Cole Martinez-Yam
14. Alex Ray-Yam
15. Chris Blose-Hon
16. Chase Marquier-Hon
17. Cryrille Coulon-Suz
18. Christian Craig-Hon
19. Jacob Hayes-Kaw (DNS)
20. Eli Tomac-Kaw (DNS)
21. Justin Bogle-Suz (DNS)
22. Tim Gasjer-Hon (DNS)
Monster Energy Cup Main Event #3
The third main event seemed to be the easiest for Musquin, who didn’t appear to show the effects of any pressure to win the Monster Million. The Frenchman appeared to be relaxed as he pulled the holeshot in the main event with Anderson once again in tow. Musquin appeared to have the increasingly slipper track wired to near perfection as he simply rode away from Anderson and Wilson, building a comfortable lead en route to the biggest single payday of his career. With the win, Musquin joined 2011 Monster Energy Cup winner Ryan Villopoto as a winner of the $1 Million bonus.
“I wasn’t even thinking about winning all three motos,” Musquin said afterward. “It’s unreal to go out and win all three. We had such a long break between the second and third moto–which made it more stressful. The key was to get a good holeshot and try to go fast. To be honest, in my head I was thinking I would get a start around the top three and then wasn’t sure what I would do. I knew it was going to be so hard to pass, so getting the holeshot was the best way to go out for the third moto.
“I think this is great for the sport–a lot of people are watching on TV,” Musquin said. “To see that someone is winning one million dollars in one night at a motocross race is unique. I think we got a lot of views, and people will be talking about it, that’s for sure. We were all in disbelief when I crossed the finish line. It’s super cool. This doesn’t happen often. I had so much fun.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing was able to celebrate a double podium for its efforts in the Monster Energy Cup, starting with Jason Anderson, who finished second via a trio of runner-up finishes.
“The track was awesome, and I had good starts all night,” Anderson said. “Everything about this race is so much fun because it’s so different and unique. All-in-all it was a great weekend.”
Wilson’s 3-5-3 finishes netted him third, ahead of KTM riders Tickle (4-3-4) and Smith (5-4-6).
“I’m always excited for this race,” Wilson said. “The track is just so different and it makes the race that much more enjoyable. I think I rode well all day and I’m happy with my results.”
2017 Monster Energy Cup Main Event #3 Results:
1. Marvin Musquin-KTM
2. Jason Anderson-Hus
3. Dean Wilson-Hus
4. Broc Tickle-KTM
5. Justin Barcia-Hon
6. Jordon Smith-KTM
7. Benny Bloss-KTM
8. Josh Grant-Kaw
9. Tyler Bowers-Yam
10. Vince Friese-Hon
11. Cole Martinez-Yam
12. Justin Hoeft-Yam
13. Chris Blose-Hon
14. Alex Ray-Yam
15. Cryrille Coulton-Suz
16. Chase Marquier-Hon
17. Fredrik Noren-Hon
18. Christian Craig-Hon
19. Jacob Hayes-Kaw (DNS)
20. Eli Tomac-Kaw (DNS)
21. Justin Bogle-Suz (DNS)
22. Tim Gasjer-Hon (DNS)
2017 Monster Energy Cup
Sam Boyd Stadium
Las Vegas, Nevada
Results: October 14, 2017
Overall
1. Marvin Musquin, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (1,1,1)
2. Jason Anderson, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing (2,2,2)
3. Dean Wilson, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing (3,5,3)
4. Broc Tickle, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (4,3,4)
5. Jordon Smith, Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM (5,4,6)
6. Justin Barcia, Barcia Racing Honda (10,6,5)
7. Josh Grant, Monster Energy Kawasaki (6,7,8)
8. Benny Bloss, Team Rocky Mountain ATV/MC WPS KTM (7,8,7)
9. Vince Friese, Smartop Motoconcepts Honda (8,10,10)
10. Tyler Bowers, AHM Kawasaki (12,9,9)
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