Ulsterman Martin Barr extended his lead in the EMX250 race with a fourth place in the opening Latvia moto, leading home two more Brits Mel Pocock and two-stroke man James Dunn over the line in fifth and sixth.

Barr’s fourth place means he is now on 110 points, but Frenchman Mathys Boisrame took the race win to move into second in the series on 104 – the same points as Pocock. British-born Kiwi Dylan Walsh is three points back in fourth. He was ninth in the moto.

The race was led by Estonian Karel Kutsar until the penultimate lap when Boisrame sneaked by. Gianluca Facchietti took third place. Barr was a lonely fourth while his Revo Husqvarna team-mate Pocock battled off a challenge from GL12 KTM man James Dunn for fifth.

Former champ Stevn Clarke took 19th, Todd Kellet 27th. Title hopeful Giuseppe Tropepe crashed out and retired, holding his arm in pain.