Factory KTM rider Marvin Musquin has launched an attack on the French Motocross of Nations team boss after being left out of the squad for the event in the USA at Red Bud in September. The team will be Dylan Ferrandis, Romain Febvre and Gautier Paulin.
Musquin said: “As you might have heard already through the video posted by the French Federation today, I’ve had the unpleasant surprise to find out that I wasn’t picked to race the MX of Nations for Team France. I think it’s now important that I say a few words about what Jacques Bolle, President of the French Federation, said at the team announcement were the reasons and factors they looked at in selecting the team this year.
“First of all, the motivation… For the record, the French coach came to America for the Red Bud National and spoke with me there to make sure I was motivated and available to race Des Nations. I confirmed I was 100% motivated and that being team-mate with Dylan Ferrandis would be great! Also, what greater motivation is there for me to perform than to race in front of the world here in the US, on a track I just won? If that’s not motivation enough then I don’t know what would be!
“Jacques Bolle also talks about the importance for the rider to be healthy and performing good around this time of the year. Seriously, what do you want me to say to that… ? My results speak for themselves. I finished 2nd in the AMA SX Championship this year and I’m currently a title contender for the outdoor championship with three races left! I won Red Bud this year and I’ve been racing at Red Bud for the last 8 years…..
“I’ll save everyone time and not go into details about the planning and logistics that have already gone in to be part of that race from either my side, my Red Bull KTM teams side, the factory, my sponsors and or the rest of my crew….
“To me it’s sad to be overlooked again especially given the race is going to be here in the US where I compete almost every weekend for the last 8 years now and against many top riders that I am sure will be selected on the US home team. But I do really want to thank everyone who has and continues to support me and thank all the French, American, and all the other fans who have shown their support for me after this announcement. It means a lot to me.”
France remains one of the top contenders for the win. Belgium this week announced its team will be Clement Desalle, Jeremy Van Horebeek and Jago Geerts. Switzerland have Arnaud Tonus, Jeremy Seewer and Valentin Guillod and hope to send a team but is looking for funding and has set up a page asking for donations which you can see HERE.
Germany has also announced it will field Ken Roczen (MXGP), Henry Jacobi (MX2) and Max Nagl (Open).
The video where the Franch team announcement was made is below…