REVO Husqvarna UK made its dune debut on Sunday at the HydroGarden Weston Beach Race and came within 89 seconds of scoring a podium in the three-hour main race. Racing Husqvarna’s FX 350 Cross Country machine, Mel Pocock – in his first full assault on the UK’s biggest beach race – rode out of his skin to record a total of 20 laps.
With the team running enduro fuel tanks he was forced to pit four times. His rivals were using over-sized tanks which meant they required two fewer stops and saved vital minutes so as the race progressed Mel slipped back to fourth.
Despite this it was still a rock-solid performance from Mel who was backed up by his younger brother, Brett. Unfortunately, a transponder problem meant he wasn’t placed but his total of 15 laps would have put him between 70th and 116th in the 852-strong field.
Mel Pocock said: “I really enjoyed it – it was so hard but I’m very happy with fourth. The only time I’ve ever attempted it before it was red-flagged after I’d done about a quarter of the lap so it’s always been on my list of races to do.
“I’ve never done an event like Weston and nor has REVO so it was the first time for us all. It was a long day and I’m definitely feeling it now. We went there thinking it would be good to finish it and we ended up leading it for a couple of laps which was mega and I think if we’d had a larger tank to cut down on pitstops we’d definitely have been in with a chance of winning.
“I’ve got to say thank you to Husqvarna UK for lending me the 2019 FX 350 – what a good bike that is, perfect for the job – and the team for their support.”
Mark Yates, Team Principal, said: “It was a good weekend. We did it at the request of Husqvarna UK and I’m very appreciative of them lending the team two FX 350s. We had no bike issues whatsoever – everything was spot on – although we ran with the standard tank which in hindsight was a bit of a mistake because we needed more pitstops.
“Mel still had a great finish in fourth place but if we’d used a bigger tank we’d have needed at least one stop less and maybe two which would have put us on the podium. That’s something to look forward to next year if we decide to race it again.
“Fair play to Mel, he rode very well and took everything so smooth and easy so we’re really pleased. Brett had transponder issues and was stuck in the middle of the field at the start but he fought his way through and finished well.
“We all had a great weekend. It was REVO’s first beach race and it was Mel’s first full Weston so for him to just miss the podium was a result for the whole team to be proud of and a great way to wrap up the season.”
Brett Pocock said: “I struggled like mad for the first hour with arm-pump and Mel filling me in at the beginning because I followed him up the start straight and then I went from about 30th to probably about 500th on the first lap.
“After about an hour I managed to get in the groove so for the last two hours I just rode around having fun and absolutely loving every minute of it. I had such a good time – it’s always a cool feeling to race alongside my brother.
“A big thank you to Husqvarna UK, the team and everyone else who made it possible.”