Motocross
5 Moto Privateers Who Made the Big Time
Moto Spy breaks down some of the little guys that made it big in moto.
Marvin Musquin laying low at Red Bull Give Me Five
© Alberto Lessmann/Red Bull Content Pool
Privateers. They are David to the factory sponsored Goliath. But ironically enough, we root for them to become the factory Goliaths, because that’s what equivocates to success in motocross. Check out the following five riders who made it out of the privateer ranks and into factory rigs:
Weston Peick
The modern day people’s champion is Weston Peick. He’s been putting results up on the board for the past year, and is the only privateer cracking the top five multiple times a season. Now, he’ll get to show his stuff outdoors for the RCH Suzuki team, his first opportunity to race in full-factory equipment.
Justin Brayton
Justin Brayton is a staple in the top five this year, and is currently one of the fastest whoop riders on the planet. Brayton has been under factory awnings for a few years now, but he got his start in the Arenacross series as a complete no-name. He put in work, racing SX for small satellite teams before finally getting a factory support ride with MDK/KTM in 2007. And the rest as they say, has been history.
Darryn Durham
Double D was an amateur hotshot, earning the AMA Horizon Award in 2008 before going pro for the Star Yamaha team. But even with some strong rides, the team dropped Darryn, who raced the next two seasons out of a van as a privateer on a Honda. He put in some incredible rides, nearly winning the first moto at High Point in 2011, and caught the eye of PC Kawasaki boss Mitch Payton. Darryn has now spent three years on the team, winning his first pro race ever in 2012.
Cole Seely at the Daytona Supercross
© Garth Milan
Cole was another amateur standout who suddenly quit when his love for racing dwindled. Cole took some time off, going to school and living a “normal” life before going back to the pro scene in 2009 racing for the small Fun Center Suzuki team. He managed to catch the attention of industry legend Troy Lee, who gave Cole a shot on his team for 2010. Fast forward to 2014 and Cole has racked up four wins and is racing for a championship for the team. Good move, Troy.
Marvin Musquin (pictured at the top) started the World Motocross GP circuit in 2009 on a privateer Honda, the same bike he raced in 2008. Early in the season, Marvin caught traction and led the world championship, almost unheard of for a privateer. His efforts caught the eyes of the Red Bull KTM factory team, and after some contract negotiations, Marvin finished and won the 2009 MX2 World Championship on a factory KTM 250F.
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