Author: Admin

REVO Husqvarna UK travelled to Lyng in Norfolk for the last round of the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship supported by Pro Clean with an outside chance of winning the MX2 title.

With Mel Pocock lying third in the championship – 15 points behind series leader Conrad Mewse – it was a long-shot but, buoyed up by Martin Barr’s excellent result at the MXoN and the inclusion of 2019 signing Dylan Walsh as a wild card, spirits were high under the team awning.

Martin finished eighth in the first race and crossed the line in fourth for fifth overall.

Martin Barr:

“Going into Lyng after a good performance at the Motocross of Nations, I was looking forward to it but in race one I got boxed in through the first couple of corners. I started going forward and I was the fastest man on the track with the fastest lap time but once I got into sixth I got stuck behind a rider and got completely filled in and was forced to throw my goggles off.

“Race two I wanted to make amends. I got away fifth and on the first lap I got into fourth behind Mel but never really got close enough to make a pass on him.

“I’ve ended up fifth in the championship which is nowhere I want to be and really sums up this year. That’s my time done with the team so thank you very much to REVO Husqvarna.”

Mark Yates (Team Principal):

“Everyone knows Martin is a solid professional and he has fought hard all year. I know he’s disappointed with fifth in the British championship but he’s struggled with injuries. Lyng was his last race for the team and I wish him well.

“Overall, I’m really pleased to be in this position at the end of the season and now it’s time for a breather for everyone. It’s been an incredibly busy year with a lot of races and an awful lot of miles on the clock.

“We’ve finished second in the European championship and a close third in the British championship and that’s not something we can feel too disappointed with. We’ve had numerous podiums at both British and European level and carried the red plate in the EMX championship with both riders – there are not many teams in just their second year have managed that.”

by Sean Lawless

REVO Husqvarna UK’s 2018 EMX250 championship campaign came to an end at the MXGP of The Netherlands at the world famous Assen facility at the weekend. With the title out of reach, the primary objective was for Mel Pocock to make sure of second position in the championship which he did in the opening moto. Unfortunately, Martin Barr came up one-point short in the battle for series bronze.

Martin struggled to put in a clean lap in timed practice but he battled with the pain of a recent injury to run 14-8 for 10th overall, missing out on a series podium finish by a single point.

Martin Barr:

“Since just before the halfway point of the championship things have not gone to plan whatsoever. It’s motocross so you’ve just got to keep going at it and hopefully things will change but there have been some testing times lately.

“I was really looking forward to Assen. It was my first time there but I’d watched the videos and it looked cool. Timed practice was tough – it was very, very busy and it was hard to get a clear lap. The one time I managed it there were three waved yellow flags so I had to slow down and I ended up 15th.

“I’ve been getting bad starts and giving myself a lot of work to do and in the opening moto I went down on the first lap as well. I had to try and push on through but I only got back to 14th which was disappointing although on the very last lap I passed the guy I was fighting with for third in the championship.

“I got an okay start in the second race and got up to eighth but it was very frustrating because I’m riding injured at the moment and it was hard to push through the pain barrier. I ended up one point shy of third and having led in the first half of the championship it’s very disappointing to finish fourth.”

Team Principal Mark Yates:

“It was a good weekend. It could have been better but we secured second place in the EMX250 championship with Mel which was the main objective. Unfortunately, Martin missed out on third by a point which is a shame but second and fourth in the European championship isn’t too bad. If you’d told me that’s where we were going to be at the start of the season I’d have probably taken it.

“To be honest I’m quite relieved that the EMX series is over. We need a break now before we begin to prepare for 2019 which is going to be a very exciting season for the team.

 

by Sean Lawless

The penultimate round of the EMX250 championship held in Sevlievo, Bulgaria ended in disappointment for Martin Barr.

Back in 18th in timed practice, Martin didn’t get to grips with the track in the opening moto and after circulating just outside the top 10 in the early stages he slipped back to 14th at the flag.

Starting near the front in race two, a big crash on the opening lap left him dead last as he struggled to restart on a steep, slippery hill.

Following a race-long charge he finally crossed the line just out of the points in 21st with the result dropping him to fourth in the championship.

Martin Barr – 19th (14-21)

“It’s very frustrating at the minute but I’m trying to put everything behind me and get on with things. I struggled all day on Saturday to find a rhythm on the track and my qualifying result was poor and in the first race I think I got away 11th but unfortunately dropped to 14th at the flag which was very disappointing. I’m not that type of rider to be finishing down there.

“I was up for it on Sunday and probably got the best start I’ve had for a good couple of months but they’d watered the landing from the uphill triple and both wheels washed out and I went down. It was very hard to restart because the slope was so steep and slippery and it took me too long to get going.”

Mark Yates (Team Principal)

“I’m very disappointed with the performance at the weekend. For some reason we’ve lost our way the last couple of weeks – we’re capable of better things.

“We were definitely way off the pace but fair play to Mathys Boisrame for winning the title – he rode well. We need to park it, move on and keep building for next season.

“Despite this it’s still been an incredibly exciting and positive campaign and I’m very proud of the way the riders and team personnel have conducted themselves.”

 

by Sean Lawless

REVO Husqvarna UK travelled to Frauenfeld in Switzerland for round nine of the EMX250 championship with high hopes of regaining the series lead but the weekend ended in disappointment for Mel Pocock and Martin Barr.

Martin’s problems out of the gate continued to affect his results. Leaving himself with lots to do in both motos, he dug deep to come through the pack and was rewarded with 8-8 scores for eighth overall to maintain his third place in the championship.

Martin Barr – 8th (8-8)

“It’s still boiling down to bad starts. Qualifying sixth in my group wasn’t so bad and in race one I made a decent enough start – certainly better than I’ve been starting recently – and quickly moved forward to reel the front group in.

“It was very close and hard to make passes because I was having to use different lines which is tough when someone is sat on your back wheel looking to make a pass of their own. It was a very intense race trying to be inch-perfect every lap and I ended up eighth – the result’s not great but I was quite happy with my riding.

“I was looking forward to getting a better start on Sunday because I know if I can get out of the gate well I’m capable of winning races. I tried something different and it didn’t work so I had to come from the back again. I caught up with the lead pack and worked my way up to seventh but with a lap-and-a-half to go I over-jumped one of the doubles, landed in the braking bumps and stalled the engine which cost me a position.

“It’s been a disappointing weekend but I’ve still got two rounds to try and pull back some points. I’m not one to throw the towel in and I’ll keep working until the end.”

Mark Yates (Team Principal)

“Martin is continuing to struggle with his starts and has to work very hard in the races. He finished eighth overall at the weekend but considering where he started this wasn’t a bad result.

“We’ll park this weekend and stay focused going into Bulgaria next weekend.”

 

by Sean Lawless

Martin Barr had a tough time on Sunday’s Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship MX2 at Hawkstone Park crashing in the first turn of race one and injuring his hand. All the way back in 32nd after the opening lap, he fought up to 12th before gritting his teeth for fifth in race two to take seventh on the day.

Martin Barr – 7th (12-5):

It’s frustrating. It’s just one thing after another. I don’t know what it is – I haven’t changed anything so it’s a tough one.

The day started off all right. I was happy enough with fourth in qualifying and in the first race I got a pretty decent start but the first corner was so soft and my front end dug in right behind someone and I went down and got ran over. My bike landed on top of me and burnt my arm and hit my hand hard. I was under it for a good 25 seconds so by the time I got up I was away dead last. I’m not one to give in and I just fought until the end and worked my way back up to 12th.

I knew race two was going to be tough with the condition my body was in but I never gave up and eventually ended up fifth and I think I was the fastest rider on the track for the last 10 minutes. It was a very frustrating race because I couldn’t push the way I wanted to because I couldn’t hold on.”

Mark Yates (Team Principal):

Martin’s struggled a bit today with his starts yet again which has impeded his performance. He’s had to work really hard to get the 12th in race one and fifth second time out. Overall I’m really pleased for the team. We expected to do well this weekend and it’s just great to finish on top of the podium for the second round in a row.

 

by Sean Lawless

 

Martin Barr, racing the team’s FC 250, had a tougher weekend in the brutal Belgian sand but typically refused to give in.

After running 12-6 for sixth overall, the Irishman kept hold of his third place in the title fight but is now 36 points off the lead.

Martin Barr – 6th (12-6):

“I was seventh in my qualifying group on Saturday morning which wasn’t so bad, I just struggled to get a clean lap in. Being out first thing in the morning on Saturday and then with our first race the last in the evening it meant the track had changed a lot but I was up for the challenge. Unfortunately, I just didn’t get a very good start – I wheelied off the grid and had to back it off. I gave myself a lot of work to do and didn’t find a good flow at all.

“With the track being so rough there were only one or two main lines so trying to pass was tough and I only got back to 12th which was frustrating. In race two I was looking forward to putting things right. I had a good start but about 10 feet out of the gate I locked bars with another rider and nearly went down so it was another uphill battle. I kept fighting the whole race and got up to sixth but it was a very disappointing weekend and I was expecting a lot more. Positives are that my bike was working fantastic so thanks to my mechanic Dan and everyone around me and Mel getting the overall was great for the team.”

Mark Yates (Team Principal):

“Our first race was at 6.45pm on Saturday and it was still something like 30 degrees. We were testing out some new stuff for next year. The bike is just so different but all the signs are very positive. I’m really pleased for the whole team – it was a solid effort from everyone so it was great that we won the team trophy too. I couldn’t be any prouder of the whole crew. Martin had some bad luck but he never gave up and battled through to the end of both races. I know he’s disappointed with his results but he’s still a safe third in the championship.”

 

by Sean Lawless

REVO Husqvarna UK team-mates Mel Pocock and Martin Barr filled the top two steps of the podium at round five of the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship supported by Pro Clean in dreadful conditions at Duns on Sunday.

Racing in torrential rain, strong winds and thick fog, the normally hard-pack track in the Scottish Borders was turned into a mud- bath with the promoters forced to abandon the meeting with two races still to go.

The full MX2 programme still ran, however, with both Mel and Martin surviving a number of crashes to make it the most successful day in the team’s history. At the end of the day they were locked together on points at the top with Mel getting the overall – his first for over four years – on a tie-break.

Martin qualified in fourth with Mel fifth before the weather front hit, making conditions tough for the opening race. Martin gated near the front and despite a crash was able to pull through to third at the flag but Mel faced a race- long charge up to fourth after going down in the first turn and restarting dead last.

Worsening weather made race two a lottery but as the going got tough the pair dug deep and got going with Mel only securing the overall with a last-lap pass on Martin for third.

Mark Yates (Team Principal)

“It’s been a brilliant weekend. Obviously, it was really horrendous weather but getting a 1-2 on the podium is mega for Mel and Martin and the team but I feel for Dylan who had a bad accident in qualifying and has hurt his thumb.
“In the conditions of that second moto Mel and Martin were outstanding to keep it upright – although they both had a few spills – and the result underlines all the hard work and commitment they put into racing along with all the effort of the team behind them.”

Martin Barr – 2nd (3-4)

“It’s been a tough day but it’s been the same for everybody. Qualifying started off all right and I ended up fourth and in race one I got a decent enough start, nipped up the inside and came out around fifth. I moved through to third but then went down, dropped back to fifth and got going again and recovered for third by the end.
“In race two I just spun up and got a real bad start but I kept it going. I made a few mistakes and for the last few laps I just couldn’t see a thing – on the last lap I lost three positions which cost me the overall but it’s been a good day with me and Mel both on the podium.”

 

by Sean Lawless

REVO Husqvarna UK turned out in force for the penultimate round of the Michelin MX Nationals at Canada Heights in Kent where the full four-man team was in action.

Although the series isn’t a priority for the team’s three Pro MX2 riders who are focussed on the European 250 championship, they always race to win and Mel Pocock did exactly that with his team-mate Martin Barr joining him on the podium in third overall.

Mel posted the fastest lap time on his FC 250 in the opening race on his way to second and backed this up with victory in race two to take the overall. Martin was fifth in the opening moto after having to come through the pack and claimed a solid third second time out.

Mark Yates (Team Principal)

“It was an excellent weekend – especially considering it was a last-minute decision to do it – and we had some great results.

“I’m thrilled to bits with Mel’s riding – he moved up to another level this weekend which is a result of all the hard work done in the week in Holland and Belgium.

“Martin was a bit out of sorts but even though he wasn’t on top form he still managed to get on the podium.”

Martin Barr – 3rd (5-3)

“Canada Heights was all right but obviously I’m wanting a lot more. I ended up third in qualifying in MX2 which gave me fifth gate pick and I made a decent start in the first moto but halfway around the opening lap I came together with another rider and lost a few positions and after that it was a tough race. I never really got into it to be honest and was disappointed to finish fifth.

“In race two I got another okay start and just battled on and got third which was good enough to give me third overall. It was frustrating day and I wanted more but with Mel on the box as well it was a solid day for the team.”

 

by Sean Lawless

 

After a very promising start there was a disappointing end to round four of the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship supported by Pro Clean on Sunday for REVO Husqvarna UK.

The Desertmartin race in Northern Ireland was Martin Barr’s home round and the team kicked off with a 2-3 in the opening moto on their FC 250s with Mel just behind Martin.

Unfortunately, Martin’s hopes of a podium were ended on the first lap of race two when he crashed and his bike became tangled with another machine.

Restarting dead last, he fought back to 17th for eighth overall.
While Martin was coming through, Mel was holding a safe second which was good enough for second overall until a late crash dropped him to fifth and he missed the podium on a tie-break.

Mark Yates (Team Principal)

“Not the best weekend for us but at least we know we have the speed to be up front and I was very pleased with the first moto – after going 2-3 with Martin and Mel we were confident of getting one or even both on the podium!

“The guys’ starts were a massive improvement with Mel taking a great holeshot in race two but unfortunately a red flag meant a restart.

“Mel got another great start but in the last turn of the first lap Martin was in the centre of a big pile-up and his bike ended up locked together with another rider’s bike.

After a long time separating them he was dead last but, typically, he refused to give in and was rewarded with three points for 17th place. It was a great ride but the result has seriously damaged his championship hopes.

“We now need to work hard on our qualifying and starts with a focus on the next European round at Lommel.

Martin Barr – 8th (2-17)

“I was really looking forward to my home round – the track was looking absolutely fantastic, my bike was working a treat and everything in the team was perfect. There was no reason why I couldn’t go out and perform and the day started pretty good with second in qualifying.

“I was away third in race one and it took me a couple of laps to get going and get past Mel. I put a push on for a few laps and then decided to bring it home for second and save some energy for race two.

“In the second moto I was away fifth but in the mechanics’ corner me and Lewis Tombs came together and my bars went into his back wheel and it took what felt like a lifetime to get them out.

“I’m disappointed. Obviously, I’d have loved to have been on the podium at my home round and I’ve lost a lot of points in the championship. It’s my third week on the bounce with bad luck and they say it happens in threes so hopefully that’s an end to it.”

 

By Sean Lawless

Mid-pack starts and a first-turn crash resulted in another tough weekend’s work for REVO Husqvarna UK riders Martin Barr and Mel Pocock at the MXGP of Lombardia in Northern Italy.

Heading into round seven of the EMX250 championship lying 2-3 in the title chase, the pair showed they have the speed on their FC 250s to run at the front with Mel se setting the fastest lap right at the end of race one.

But poor gate picks following average times in qualification put them on the back foot in both motos and with the start vital
 on a track where passing was difficult they made life difficult for themselves.

Martin was sixth in the opening moto but a crash in the first turn of race two left him almost dead-last. In soaring temperatures he came back to 12th but the damage was done and he ended the day 11th.

With the next round at Lommel in Belgium on August 5, Mel still holds second but is now 19 points off the series lead with Martin third a further 13 points behind.

 

Mark Yates (Team Principal)

“The last couple of rounds we’ve struggled in qualifying and Mel and Martin really need to focus on this. They don’t need me to tell them how important it is because qualifying position determines gate pick which can have a massive impact on where they are exiting the first turn and at the moment it’s their starts that are letting them down.

“I’m confident that they’ve got the speed but if they can’t gate in the top handful of riders it is always going to be an uphill battle for them.

“It’s not the end of the world yet – there are four rounds left – but they’re making it hard for themselves when they have to fight through from the back. The next couple of weeks we’re going to focus on starts and also putting in fast laps.”

“I’m confident that when we go to Lommel for the next round Mel and Martin can challenge for moto wins and the podium.”

 

Martin Barr – 11th (6-12)

“It was another pretty poor weekend. The last two rounds have been very testing with bad luck and poor results which is not what I’ve been working hard for.

“In race one I made an average start and it was a very hard track to pass on but no excuses, it was the same for everybody. I managed to get back to sixth at the flag which is okay but not what I’m after. The championship leader was in front of me which means he pulled more points on me.

“Race two I wanted to make amends with a better start but I crashed on the first corner and gave myself a lot of work to do – I think I ended the first lap in 26th – so I had to put my head down and eventually got up to 12th.

“It was a frustrating weekend. From leading the championship to being 32 points behind is very hard to take in but I’m not going to let it beat me. Lommel’s next and I’ll be looking to turn things around and take the championship down to the wire.”

 

by Sean Lawless