REVO Husqvarna UK kicked off its EMX250 championship campaign in spectacular style at Redsand in Spain at the weekend with team riders sweeping both races on their way to third and fourth overall.
After gating near the front of the opener, Mel Pocock patiently stalked the riders in front of him before making a pass for the lead stick and opening up a 0:01.625 gap at the flag. Martin Barr, who had qualified in pole, was unlucky to be taken down at the start but passed his way from dead last to 10th.
In race two it was Martin’s turn to taste victory following a decisive move three laps from home which he converted into a 0:03.813 winning margin.
Mel was forced to make a series of passes before taking ninth – and third overall from his team-mate – in the closing stages.
The team’s third rider, Dylan Woodcock, failed to qualify for the points-paying races.
Mel Pocock – 3rd (1-9)
“Happy days! I haven’t won at that level since 2012 and at times it’s seemed like a distant goal to do it again.
“There’s a lot of talented riders out there so it was a massive breakthrough for me in terms of confidence and self-belief – to get out front and have that feeling of leading and winning a race at that level is fantastic.
“In the second race I got in a bit of a tangle in the first corner and came around outside the top 30 so I had so much work to do. I was pretty sure I’d stuffed it up straight away but I managed to make some good passes and get third overall.
“It was great to see Martin take the second race as well. The whole team works so hard for weekends like this.”
Martin Barr – 4th (10-1)
“After such a disaster in the first race and knowing I was the fastest rider it was good to go out on Sunday and get the job done.
“That’s just motocross and you have to take the rough with the smooth but it’s a long season so I’ll just keep at it and keep putting the work in.
“In race one the rider next to me came across and I went down but every point counts and I was pleased with my speed to come back to 10th. Race two I got an okay start, put my head down and picked them off one by one. I didn’t panic and I knew once I got into second I could run my own lines and close the leader down.
“It’s been a brilliant weekend for the team and I think we’ve made a clear statement that we’re contenders for the title.”
Dylan Woodcock – DNQ
“It’s a huge learning curve. The goal is just to qualify but the competition is so fast and, obviously, I’m also competing against Mel and Martin.
“I’ve got to take some positives from it. I got a good start [in the LCQ] which was lacking last year. I know it’s going to be a year of learning in EMX but I aim to take these lessons to the British championship and hopefully be up front there.”
Mark Yates (Team Principal)
“I’m absolutely delighted. I just can’t describe the feeling at the moment. It’s been incredible! Mel and Martin have excelled and we’ve come away with third and fourth in the championship and both race wins.
“I couldn’t be any happier with both riders’ performances and dedication and the professionalism of the whole team.
“Mel’s been nervous all weekend – he always is at the start of the season – so getting that race win was important for his confidence and he rode brilliantly.
“There’s no-one who’s been as fast as Martin all weekend – he’s been a class act – but unfortunately he was taken down straight off the gate in the opening race. He fought back from last to 10th and set the fastest lap but the damage was done.
“Dylan has the ability but he needs to work on a couple of weaknesses – most notably his corner speed – but it will come. He’s ridden big events but I think the enormity of the occasion possibly got to him as well.
“The team’s worked so hard and I’m pleased for everybody after all the preparation through the winter with training and development. It’s come to fruition this weekend.”