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Newfound rivals Jason Anderson and Marvin Musquin have finally spoken out on the contact that left the latter on the ground in Oakland at round five of the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series.

Runaway title-leader Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) made an aggressive move on the Red Bull KTM contender as he picked his way through the pack to victory, but declined to comment following the press conference last weekend.

After making it back-to-back wins in San Diego on Saturday night, this time ahead of Musquin, both gave their take on the matter when questioned post-race. It’s been reported in the US media that a rift had developed between them in the off-season, despite both training under Aldon Baker and forming part of the KTM Group, and Anderson confirmed it on the weekend.

“I think we’re just competitive and it comes out on the track,” Anderson commented. “Sometimes we get a little too far ahead of ourselves and in Oakland, you know, honestly my bad… I was trying to go forward and obviously it’s not good between us [laughs], but at the same time I want to be battling with Marv. I don’t want to take him down, but I just get ahead of myself [in the] heat of the moment. It’s hard to put into words.”

Musquin voiced his frustration over the coming together that resulted in him eventually crossing the finish-line in fourth, but with his championship hopes already hindered by the shoulder injury sustained in Houston, it didn’t have a direct impact on his title chances at this point. He’s currently eighth in the standings following six rounds, 45 behind Anderson.

“I was in a good position in Oakland and obviously I didn’t expect and I didn’t hear at all Jason,” said Musquin. “So, I was going off the turn and I couldn’t do anything. For sure, when you’re in a good position in the main like that, running third, and you go down, it’s a bummer. My thoughts… we’re both racing.

“I feel like at the end of the whoops tonight I could have sent Jason over the berm [laughs], but I didn’t. I mean, it’s not really my style, but one day if I have to, I will. Definitely, the situation is not the same, but we’re fighting for the championship. That’s the way it is – it’s not a big deal.”

Following that, Anderson quickly added: “Basically, he owes me one [laughs].”