Garrett Marchbanks on First Moto Podium Ever at 2023 High Point National

Sep 22, 2023

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In just his second race this AMA Pro Motocross Championship season on the all-new generation Yamaha YZ450F, Garrett Marchbanks had a huge day at the High Point National. In the first moto, he was up with the lead pack early and settled in for a third-place finish until he was gifted second when Ken Roczen had a spill late in the moto. Having Marchbanks interviewed on the podium was a much-welcomed sight for the Muc-Off/FXR/ClubMX Yamaha team that has delt with adversity through the first portions of the summer, struggling with results and losing two-time 250 Class Pro Motocross Champion Jeremy Martin for the remainder of the season with a brutal arm injury. Marchbanks’ P2 was his first ever moto podium finish, still he had another moto to go.

In the second moto, the Utah native again positioned himself near the front of the pack. But a mechanical issue caused for a pit stop on the opening lap, dropping the #36 to the rear of the pack. Luckily, the pit stop was quick and Marchbanks was able to return to the track and charge through the pack en route to an eighth-place finish. His 2-8 moto finishes gave him fifth overall, a new career best in Pro Motocross. His fifth overall ties his 2021 High Point National, although in ’21 he was in the 250 Class. Afterwards, Marchbanks recapped his day in the following post-race interview, saying his career-best P2 felt like a win.

Racer X: All right, Garrett, walk us through your day here at the High Point National.Garrett Marchbanks: Yeah, honestly it was the best day I have ever had, outdoors. Qualified P3, my best 450 qualifying so far and moto one went awesome. Got off to a second place start and ran there for a couple of laps. Kenny [Roczen] got around me and I just latched onto him, followed him, Jett [Lawrence] went down, I rode second for a couple of laps, Jett got back around me. And I just rode a quiet third place until about two to go and Kenny made a mistake and fell over and yeah, I got second. I was pretty pumped on that.

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Were you able to pick up on any lines that maybe they were doing that you weren’t?Yeah, just some sections I picked up some lines and some sections I found that I was doing a little better, so it was definitely a good moto.

That’s a career best, obviously there are some guys injured but it's a huge step for you. Just talk about the momentum and confidence you are leaving here with because you said it felt like a win. It’s got to feel awesome.Yeah, I have always been a terrible starter and almost came out to a holeshot in moto one and I was like, “Okay this is what it is like to be out front and stay clean for most of the race.” And just ran a good clean race. Same with moto two, got off to a top five top six start and it was awesome again, two good starts. Then we just had a little bike issue lap one, had to pull in and fix the bike a little bit. Heck, I think I came from 35th to eighth that last one. It was definitely a rough one to end it, but I am happy with the fifth overall.

The @IntenseCycles RC Hard Charger Award from @HighPointMX belongs to @GMarchbanks36 for his Moto 2 charge from 37th ➡️ 8th ⚡️#ProMotocross #SuperMotocross #HighPoint pic.twitter.com/jFKmtpQvmi

Okay so talk about being new to the YZ450F, testing it, and you’ve got to work back into shape some following your long time off with your wrist injury. But now you have a weekend off. So, what will that be like, testing and riding? What will that process be before RedBud?Yeah, I think I am definitely going to take a couple of days off, let the body recover I am a little sore after today. [Laughs] But we didn’t really have a lot of time on the 450 I’ve had a total of four days on it. Let’s just say on Wednesday I did a lot of starts to make sure I was good this weekend. So, that was definitely a positive, we definitely see it today. I think on this break we are definitely going to test some stuff on the bike, suspension and some other stuff. Hopefully it makes a difference so we go into RedBud even more comfortable, and we can be up there battling consistently for top fives.

Anything else you would like to add?Yeah, I would like to thank ClubMX, FXR, Muc-off, the whole team—they put in so much work for me and I am super grateful for them. My girlfriend, my parents, the Lord, just everyone thank you.