Mel Pocock and Martin Barr crush it at Redsand
By Team TMX on 29th Mar 18
European Motocross Martin Barr EMX250 Mel Pocock Redsand
REVO Husqvarna UK pairing Mel Pocock and Martin Barr crushed it at the opening round of the EMX250 series at Redsand in Spain at the weekend to finish 3-4 overall.
Barr was the quickest man on the track all weekend qualifying in pole and laying down the fastest laps in both motos but a first corner take-down in the opening race forced him to fight through the field from last to 10th before he ripped to the win second time out.
Pocock, the 2012 champion, scored an emotional win in the first race before battling to ninth in moto two with a late pass snatching third overall from his team-mate.
I havent won at that level since 2012 and at times its seemed like a distant goal to do it again, he said. Theres 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 a 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 Id 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.
Despite his race two win, fiercely competitive Barr was clearly unhappy about the opening moto.
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, he said. Thats just motocross and you have to take the rough with the smooth but its a long season so Ill 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 didnt panic and I knew once I got into second I could run my own lines and close the leader down.
Its been a brilliant weekend for the team and I think weve made a clear statement that were contenders for the title.
For team boss Mark Yates the results a huge shot in the arm.
Im absolutely delighted, he said. I cant describe the feeling at the moment. Its been incredible and Mel and Martin have excelled and weve come away with third and fourth in the championship and both race wins. I couldnt be any happier with both riders performances and dedication and the professionalism of the whole team.
The teams worked so hard and Im pleased for everybody after all the preparation through the winter with training and development. Its come to fruition this weekend.
Yates also reiterated his desire to move up into the big league next season.
When we set up on our own we worked out a plan and we have been able to keep to it next year we want to go MXGP! Both Mel and Martin are on two-year deals and I am confident they can be competitive among the private teams in MXGP.
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