Marvin Musquin kept the 450 class Championship in check with a muddy overall win on Saturday for Round 10 of the 2018 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series held at Unadilla MX in New Berlin, NY.
Musquin, however, was unable to close the points gap as leader Eli Tomac won the first Moto and finished second to Musquin in Moto 2. Musquin gets credit for the win but the points tie keeps Tomac 15 points ahead in the Championship race with two rounds remaining.
On a day when anything and just about everything did happen thanks to the rain and mud all things remained the same for the leaders. Most riders required a pit stop for a change of goggles in Moto 1 with Musquin needing the change just as Tomac caught him after six laps. Musquin, who was not invited to ride for Team France for the Motocross of Nations in October, rode with a mission for his third overall of the year and fifth Moto win. Tomac, meanwhile, who was chosen to ride for Team USA, made his usual statement in Moto 1 charging from just inside the Top 10 to the front but played it safe and kept it on two-wheels for second in Moto 2.
Phil Nicoletti took third overall on a (3-5) day for his first career podium.
In the 250 class, Dylan Ferrandis got his first career sweep and first overall of the season jumping from 10th place in the standings to fifth in the process. Ferrandis who was chosen for Team France got a later start to the season because of an injury incurred in Supercross but has an outside shot of making the Top 3 by season's end.
Aaron Plessinger finished second overall on a (2-2) day and extended his points lead over Alex Martin who finished seventh overall. Plessinger, who has a 78 point lead over Martin, was picked for Team USA and should wrap up the 250 class Championship on Saturday at Budds Creek. Mitchell Harrison finished third overall for his first career podium.
Check out the Top 14 Best Photos at Unadilla starting with a muddy 450 class start at top:
The most astute eye could probably not identify this rider
So we will give Phil Nicoletti a well-deserved "Congratulations" for his first career podium
Alex Martin struggled in the mud and fell further behind in the 250 class Championship race
Neither snow nor rain nor heat keeps Eli Tomac from winning
Toshiki Tomita had a career day finishing 10th overall
Some guys hang their sunglasses on their front collar, Aaron Plessinger hangs a tear-off
A picture is worth just one finger
Five-time GNCC Champion Kailub Russell finished sixth in Moto 1 and crashed out in Moto 2
In your face!
An overheated engine just one of many problems the mud can cause
Whoa! What's that on my seat?
Dylan Ferrandis worked his way to double wins on Saturday
Your 2018 Motocross of Nations Team USA from left to right: Aaron Plessinger, Team Manager Roger Decoster, Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac
