Pocock shines at Latvian Grand Prix

The Grand Prix of Latvia at Kegums represented the tenth round of sixteen in the FIM Motocross World Championship and for the MX2 division of Monster Energy Yamaha it was another encouraging meeting of results, performance and speed. Mel Pocock was able to dominate what was the second event of seven in the European EMX250 competition (the feeder series to MX-GP) by heading every practice session and comfortably winning both motos to extend his lead in the standings to 20 points on the YZ250F.

In the Grand Prix class both Zach Osborne and Arnaud Tonus had the pace to affect the upper areas of the final classification but both endured incidents of misfortune. The hard-packed sand of the circuit was rough in parts but home to some big and exciting jumps and the racing was close with rider mistakes largely determining the loss and gain of time and positions. The technical demands of the track increased after heavy rain Saturday night and several times on Sunday and the concentration levels of the racers had to remain optimum.

21,000 spectators were able to see Tonus finish eighth overall but only after suffering a smashed left eye on Saturday thanks to a rock that broke his goggles. The Swiss also hit to the watery mud at the beginning of the second moto on Sunday. Arnaud had some difficulty in finding a flow and effective speed but at least bagged points for two ninth positions after the pair of 35 minutes and 2 lap races.

Osborne was third, fourth and first fastest in the free practice, pre-qualification and warm-up sessions but slipped off his bike in the first corner of the qualification heat and had to work back from last to the sixteenth gate position. A bad start and another fall in the first moto on Sunday meant a similar scenario and he made the points with eighteenth. Another meeting with the mud in the second sprint caused ‘338’ to retire after banging his head but a sore neck was the only consequence.

Christophe Charlier was eighteenth overall and posted a best result of thirteenth in the second moto. The Frenchman struggled with the right shoulder he dislocated at the Grand Prix of France and the bumps and ruts were heavy work for the former European Champion.

The Grand Prix of Russia at the new site of Semigorje will take place next weekend for round eleven of the calendar.

Mel Pocock:

“It couldn’t have gone better today. I took the holeshot in the first race and made a seven lead so I could control it from there. In the next one I wasn’t first at the start but moved up quickly in the opening few turns. I pulled away again and managed to sit there! I’m so glad my races were scheduled when they were! We missed the worst of the weather, which was horrendous. I’m so happy to win again and keep the red plate. Steve [Dixon, Team Manager] has put together such a good bike. My speed would put me in a good position in the MX2 GP and it’s good knowing I could be running with those guys…with a bit of luck it will be next year!”

Zach Osborne:

“I had the speed all weekend: third in the free practice, fourth in the pre-qualification and fastest in warm-up this morning. I went down on the first turn of the qualification heat on Saturday and that kinda snowballed into what happened today. The first moto was really bad. I had a poor start and then fell on the second lap and came back from last again to eighteenth. In the second one I crashed on my own. It is disappointing. I have the speed and the fitness but to come away from here with only three points is frustrating.”

Arnaud Tonus:

“In the first practice session I wasn’t so good on the bike but then I had a stone in the face. I had to stop and only managed ten minutes. In the second session I tried to get a rhythm going but it didn’t really happen for me all weekend to be honest. I did my best and dealt with a lot of arm-pump. On what was a bad weekend eighth is not a terrible result but I expect more from myself. Better form will come but it is taking a bit of time after the injuries. I want to do so well out there that sometimes I get down when I cannot show the rhythm and speed I make in training. I feel great on the Yamaha and need to do my best to put it all together and make it happen in the races.”

Christophe Charlier:

“I’m struggling with power and strength in my shoulder. I want to open the gas but it is very difficult for me. When the track and conditions are more ‘normal’ I can make some good times but in the mud and bumps like these then I’m not racing where I want and need to be. We need to assess where we go from here.”