Pocock again EMX2 winner at Russian GP

The first trip back to Russia for the FIM Motocross World Championship since 2002 provided a memorable occasion once more for Monster Energy Yamahas Mel Pocock who maintained his 100% win record in the European EMX2 series.

Semigorje entertained a Grand Prix event for the first time and for what was the eleventh outing of sixteen on the FIM calendar. The meeting was also the fixture for the third appointment of seven in the EMX2 competition (the feeder series to GP) and Pocock went 1-1 on his YZ250F for a hat-trick of victory garlands in 2012 so far.

Semigorje presented a long and arduous journey for the teams from Latvia last weekend but the racing facility was well-prepped with a short, flat, fast and jumpy circuit. 45,000 spectators created a noisy, enthusiastic and appreciative atmosphere.

Rain struck on Saturday for a muddy programme of practice and qualification but blue skies and sunshine appeared for Sunday and the racing surface was harder, faster, bumpier and more spectacular for the two 35 minute and 2 lap dashes.

First on the timetable was the second race of 25 minutes and 2 laps for the best of the European series. Pocock had already triumphed after a hard charge and recovery from a crash on Saturday, and grabbed the holeshot and disappeared with the lead at the second time of asking. His fifth and sixth motos victories in succession continues his 100% record and means he now has a 26 point advantage in the standings.

The MX2 division of Monster Energy Yamaha (Arnaud Tonus and Zach Osborne) now head across to the UK where Pocock will hope to extend his lead in the Maxxis British Championship.

Mel Pocock:  "I'm really happy with how it is going. That second race was great. I had the holeshot and won it from the first corner by keeping it upright. The first moto was really wet and I ran up to a backmarker that put me on the wrong side of the track. I hit a rut that I wasnt going for and slid off the side of the bike. I had to fight through and eat the gap Olsen had made. It is good to keep winning and keep the red plate. Huge thanks to Ben, Jordan and all the mechanics behind the scenes because the guys have been away for two weeks. It would be a dream to do a perfect season but Ill take it race by race and see."

Osborne might also compete at Hawkstone Park for what will be Round six of eight. Tonus will have surgery this week to remove a screw from his wrist and then undergo a small procedure to relieve some of his arm-pump. The twenty one year old expects to be fully ready to go for the Grand Prix of Czech Republic at Loket on August 5th.