Title hopefuls and Revo Husqvarna team-mates Martin Barr and Mel Pocock lost ground to EMX250 championship leader Mathys Boisrame in the sandy Ottobiano opening race despite both Brits putting in strong rides.

Pocock, who started the race second in the series 13 points behind the Frenchman, set the fastest lap of the race on the very last lap as he pulled though to ninth place from a dreadful start when he clashed with another rider. He is still second in the series but 23 points back.

And Barr, who did hold the red plate at earlier rounds, had a better start and pulled through to sixth place. He is still third, a further six points behind Pocock.

At the front, British-born Kiwi Dylan Walsh took his first race win of the year, taking the holeshot then beating Boisrame in a close battle to the flag. Roan Van De Moosdijk took third from Kevin Horgmo with Maxime Renaux holding off Barr for fifth.

Todd Kellett took 13th place, one spot in front of Josh Spinks who was one spot in front of Steven Clarke.