Straight Rhythm is back! After a few year hiatus, Red Bull Straight Rhythm was reinstated as a must-see off-season race. For 2022 the two stroke only event was revamped and held on the sand at Huntington State Beach in Huntington Beach California. The California vibes were at an all-time high as this unique setting played host to a series of bracket races. In the end, Marvin Musquin and Carson Brown took home the big wins.
250 Class
Marvin Musquin keeps his perfect record alive at Straight Rhythm. The French rider, who’s two stroke resembled his 2010 MX2 championship winning bike, claimed his fourth win at this year’s running.
The final bracket came down to Musquin and Roczen, both being past winners of the event. Roczen ran a custom Yamaha YZ250 and set the fastest qualifying time earlier in the day. He defeated GasGas rider Justin Barcia to move onto the finals, but Musquin managed to edge the German rider as rains began to fall.
“For some reason, to be honest with you,” said Musquin. “I thought it was going to be a lot harder than that. Obviously the rain played a lot of factors. Kenny was really, really fast all day.”
125 Class
Carson Brown held it down as the fastest 125 rider of the day. The internet sensation, who’s also the defending champion, was the arguable favorite coming into the event. Brown unlocked a key triple-triple line to stay in the hunt and defeat Josh Varize in the final bracket. Varize’s AEO Powersports KTM teammate and former Cycle News test rider, Derek Kelley, rounded out the 125 podium.
Overall Results
250 Class
| 1. | Marvin Musquin | (KTM) |
| 2. | Ken Roczen | (Yam) |
| 3. | Justin Barcia | (GG) |
125 Class
| 1. | Carson Brown | (KTM) |
| 2. | Josh Varize | (KTM) |
| 3. | Derek Kelley | (KTM) |
