Marvin Musquin Signs Red Bull KTM Contract Extension

INSTAGRAM | @marvinmusquin25

After months of speculation and negotiation, the pen has been put to paper by Marvin Musquin on a contract extension with Red Bull KTM. The announcement from KTM is very important for all, as it confirms the team line-up for another few years and puts another important piece of the paddock in place during an interesting time for the sport. The contract extension should carry Musquin, who is currently 29 years old, through the latter portion (if not the remainder) of his professional career.

It’s rare to have three of the marquee riders in the sport in a contract year at once, but that was the case in 2019 with Musquin, Eli Tomac, and Ken Roczen. Despite all three near the end of their current deals with teams, few in the industry expected the riders to part ways with the manufacturers and Musquin is the last of the trio to re-up his deal. We initially asked Roger DeCoster about Musquin’s contract extension at the Nashville Supercross in April, and the Motorsports Director of KTM/Husqvarna North America told us that an offer had been put in front of Musquin but the rider was not ready to sign at that time, due in part to his Supercross championship chase against teammate Cooper Webb. After this, many asked Musquin if he was closer to closing the deal, but it took until the Thunder Valley Motocross round in early June for the deal to get done and the news to come out.

When Musquin signed his current contract with Red Bull KTM in 2017, the plan was for him to step into the “Number One Rider” role at the team that was being vacated by Ryan Dungey, until the signing and success of Cooper Webb in 2019 caused many assume that Musquin had lost that spot. Musquin, Webb, and the entire team were adamant that was not the case and that there was no preferential treatment. Even with this sudden development, it was considered unlikely that Musquin would part ways with KTM, especially since it is the only team he has raced for since coming to the United States and his ties to the staff and Aldon Baker-organized training program would be difficult to duplicate. 

Musquin’s tie to Red Bull KTM goes back to his time in the Monster Energy FIM Motocross World Championship, when the French rider was plucked from a small independent Honda team during his run to the MX2 title in 2009, followed it up with a successful title defense in 2010, and finally his move to the United States in 2011. KTM has supported Musquin through every step of the process, including his 2015 250 East Coast SX title, multiple Main Event and overall wins, and a series of second place finishes in Supercross and outdoor championships.

KTM North America, Inc. is proud to announce the contract extension of Marvin Musquin, who will remain with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team for the 2020 and 2021 race seasons. 

Marvin Musquin has spent the last 10 years of his professional career with the KTM brand and is continually a championship contender in the sport’s premier racing circuits. A true “READY TO RACE” athlete and KTM brand ambassador, Musquin’s performance in North America has gained recognition amongst fans as a fierce competitor.

Musquin: “I am pleased with the extension of my contract with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team for the next two years. KTM and Red Bull have supported me immensely and I believe the product, team and the overall program will contribute to my future success.”

Team Manager, Ian Harrison: “I have had the privilege of working with Marvin for nine years and he is a first-class guy that always gives his best, both on and off the track. The 2019 SX Championship proved what a tough contender Marvin is and I’m sure we will get to witness more of his talent in the years to come. I am so happy he has made the decision to stay with Red Bull KTM for the ’20 and ‘21 race seasons. On behalf of all of us at KTM, thank you Marvin, for continuing your journey with us.”

Director of Motorsports, KTM GROUP, Roger De Coster: “Marvin came over to the U.S. from the MXGP circuit for the 2011 season, which was the same time Ian Harrison and I joined the team and it is hard to believe that this is our ninth year working with him. During this time, Marvin won a 250SX East title, but more importantly, he has not finished off the podium in either the 450 SX or MX Championships and he is still improving every season. I am truly happy Marvin chose to extend his relationship with Red Bull KTM for two more years.”

The 29-year-old French rider has been with the KTM brand since 2009, where the rising star at the time captured back-to-back MX2 World Championships in ’09 and ‘10. In 2011, Musquin signed with Roger De Coster and the U.S. based Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team and by 2015 he captured the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship. Since moving to the premier 450cc division in 2016, Musquin has accumulated eight AMA 450SX victories and seven AMA 450MX victories, while consistently maintaining a top-three position in the overall championships.