Image: Simon Cudby.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team manager Roger DeCoster believes a boost of confidence is all Marvin Musquin needed in his rookie premier class season.

The Frenchman began his 2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship 450SX campaign with a string of average results taking a 14th and two ninth place finishes during the first three rounds.

On return from injury, stepping up a class and with his brother Mika being seriously injured late last year, DeCoster is confident Musquin will use his recent third place podium result in Oakland as a boosting platform for the remainder of the season.

“Marvin has had the ability, the thing he was missing the most was confidence to be able to do it,” DeCoster told Racer X. “He’s also coming back from an injury, and stepping up to the 450 at the same time. He came back, and came back in the big class, it’s two steps. This result should help his confidence, and help him ride more free.”

According to DeCoster it’s clear that the 2015 Eastern Regional 250SX champion is improving at a rapid rate, now using settings close to that of teammate, defending champion and series leader Ryan Dungey.

“Already in practice today, and during the week, he looked better,” he added. “His settings now are close to Dungey’s settings and I don’t know if he’ll be on the podium every week, but I think we can expect him to have better results regularly.”

Musquin currently sits seventh overall in the 450SX championship with 13 rounds remaining on the 2016 schedule.