Red Bull/Teka/KTM Factory rider Ken Roczen dominated the MX2 class at the U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross held at Glen Helen Raceway to lead every lap in both motos and finish ahead of teammate Jeffrey Herlings on both counts. The GP also saw the return of Marvin Musquin after a long injury pause.

The German teenager, who celebrated his first career win in the AMA SX Lites in the closing round of the competition earned first gate pick after winning Saturday’s qualifier by 16 seconds over Herlings. He nailed the holeshot in the first moto with Herlings and Musquin on his tail. Roczen and Herlings pulled away but Musquin washed out in the second corner before scrambling to get back in the race from near last. The French rider, who is competing for the Red Bull KTM US team in the AMA outdoors in 2011, crashed once more on the deeply rutted track and had to return to the pits for some adjustment to his front brake.

Meanwhile Roczen had no trouble taking the first moto win. “I like to consider this as one of my home races now that I have been living in California the first half of the year. It feels great to get a win here for my European team but to also have my American team celebrate with me,” commented Roczen. Herlings went on to finish second while Musquin was back at nineteenth.

KTM fans were looking for a showdown between the team’s two talented teenagers and were not disappointed in the second moto when Roczen and Herlings again delivered stunning performances. Roczen pulled the holeshot with Herlings on his tailpipe and they stuck close together for three-quarters of the race before Herlings fell slightly off the pace and settled into second. At the finish they were 1-2 again, while Musquin had a much better showing to be a confidence building sixth at the flag.

Ken Roczen: “I had some good fights with Jeffrey. I made some mistakes, which I am not very happy about but I like to ride in the mud. Here its kind of sandy and I knew Jeffrey was going to be fast but I won both motos and it was good.”

Jeffrey Herlings: “I’m really satisfied and it was a good weekend. I wanted to go for the win in the second moto but I made a big mistake and almost crashed so I decided to slow down and just go for second.”

“We were very proud to see Kenny (Roczen) and Jeffrey (Herlings) finish so well today. It is great to see both of our team riders up front. I also would like to give credit to Marvin (Musquin) because I know how hard it is to return from injury and I am happy with his second moto result. He will need a few more weeks to build up his speed and he’ll be back on his game,” commented Red Bull/Teka/KTM Team Manager Stefan Everts.

MX2 GP
1, Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM (1-1)
2, Jeffrey Herlings, Netherlands, KTM (2-2)
3, Tommy Searle, Britain, Kawasaki
4, Max Anstie, Britain, Kawasaki
5, Zach Osborne, USA, Yamaha

Other KTM
8, Nick Aubin, France, KTM
9, Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM
10, Jordi Tixier, France, KTM
11, Marvin Musquin, France, KTM
17, Pascal Rauchenecker, Austria, KTM
18, Nikolaj Larsen, Denmark, KTM

Standings after three GPs
1, Ken Roczen, German, KTM, 144 points
2, Jeffrey Herlings, Netherlands, KTM 130
3, Tommy Searle, Britain, Kawasaki, 120
4, Zach Osborne, USA, Yamaha, 90
5, Max Anstie, Britain, 87

Other KTM
9, Joel Roelants, Belgium, 67
11, Nicolas Aubin, France, 59
12. Jordi Tixier, France, 39
13, Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium KTM 31, (currently injured)

*KTM leads the Manufacturer’s Standings by 24 points after three GPs