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British Championship

Chatter Box: Mel Pocock

Mel Pocock on Orlyonok and Blaxhall.

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Mel Pocock had an unbelievable week, with penalties and injuries being chucked his way. Through all of that, however, he persevered and kept his title hopes alive in Europe and Britain. With an action-packed seven days in the rear-view mirror, Pocock opened up about everything that happened in this MX Vice interview.

MX Vice: First off, Russia. I guess we will start with Saturday. You got disqualified and I guess you could see both sides. It kind of was not your fault, because you got punted down a hill and it could have been really bad, but talk us through what happened there, the process, what happened afterwards and all of that.

Mel Pocock: I literally cannot see both sides of the story. It was an absolute joke what happened. He [Pierre Goupillon] hit me, only I think that he could not have hit me that hard, he must have been out of control. There was no intention of turning or even making the obstacle that was in front of both of us. I pretty much flipped over a hay bale. I clipped the freaking camera stand and over a double span of a container. Lucky to even get up. I saw red. I was fuming. Probably should have used my experience and not done what I did. But, hey, if it was all on camera, then there would have been a different outcome of the story, because it was just a joke.

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Mel Pocock is now thirty-two points down on Conrad Mewse.

MPS Images

You did not really do that much though. If you had laid a hand on him, I’d get it. Obviously that is overstepping the line. Really you did not do that much other than help him get his bike up and then drop it. Did you get a chance to protest it? Did you ever get to say your side?

Yeah, I cannot believe it. He dropped the bike that I picked up for him and it went right back down that bank! Such a shame. We had a jury meeting. It was obviously going to be a process against that from Kawasaki. Me and Mark Yates fought our corner but, unfortunately, because it was only my doings that were on footage, it went against me. Lost the fight.

Obviously, you only lost two points. I guess that is not that big a deal, but is it more a case of principles? You were the one who got disqualified, but you were the one who got punted down a hill.

More of a fact from that whole scenario, I was glad that I actually got up from it. I had my left hand x-rayed, which we thought was broke, but it was not. Just badly bruised, so that was lucky. Lost the two points, but more to the outcome of that I actually got up and was okay from that. That was the grateful thing from that whole situation. Moving on, I hope I do not have to deal with something like that again.

Then obviously the next day you popped your knee out, which just confuses me. That seems like quite a serious thing! I do not really understand how you finished the race or even raced this weekend.

I kept that a little bit quiet. Obviously it is not really so quiet. I had a clash with Dylan Walsh. Not really anyone’s fault, just a racing clash. It properly popped my knee out and brought tears to my eyes. Pretty much if pit lane was at the end of the straight it happened on, I would have been pulling in. I cannot thank my massage and physio guy, Julian, enough. He has worked on me every single day. I brought him here today. It is sore. It’s not ideal, but it is the knee where I am missing the ACL from a previous injury. Had it been my good knee, my right knee, I think I would have been faced with some injuries. I cannot actually believe how I got away of it and managed to race four days later.

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Pocock was docked five positions at Blaxhall, after jumping on a waved yellow.

MPS Images

Obviously, it is sore today, but I guess that will get better? This is not going to be a thing that nags at you the whole season? Just give it a week or two and it should be fine?

Yeah, exactly that. I have given it a yank about. I do not really want to do it again. It was not pleasant. It will get better. It is just one of them things; I can put it in my knee brace and crack on with it.

Then onto today and another penalty, but not a disqualification this time. You jumped on waved yellows, I guess, and got docked five positions. Just talk us through what happened there.

Another ‘mare. You could not even write a story on this. There was no incident where the yellow flags… The incident had cleared up, because it was coming downhill and we could see that there was no incident, but the flags were still out. I did slow up. I did case the jump that it was on. I just had some protests against me, again, which made me lose five positions, which I did not really need at all. Trying to keep the championship alive and stuff like that does not help.

What was the process of being told that here? I guess it is a lot less professional than at a GP.

Yes, because they do not have immediate replay on the footage from the TVs. When there are about three or four words against mine from three different complainers, then I’m going to get pipped, aren’t I?

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Mel Pocock is just four points down on Martin Barr in EMX250.

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Obviously I have got to ask you about today, but I guess you are not really happy. All in all, knee and everything that happened last week, you did salvage good points. I guess that is okay?

In moto two I had a bit of a mechanical issue. I had no front brake the whole race. I was just literally sat nice in second and third, then just overshot a corner and no way but to sort of lay it down. It was difficult racing out there in moto two without a brake. I could just only salvage a seventh, really. This is not really a great day for me. I am looking forward to Latvia really. I need to get my racing straightened out and get back on the podium, really. I have got the speed. I have got the fitness. It just all needs to fall into place, but we will get there.

Finally, after all of this, if there is one good thing to come from it then it is that in Latvia you are going to be close to one hundred percent and you are going to be able to keep on. With everything that has happened, it could have turned out very differently.

Moving away from Blaxhall, yeah, I am glad that I managed to do this race. I was in agony walking through the airport Wednesday. Hardly any movement in my knee. We worked hard on that. Coming into Latvia I just need two good starts to get my head down, then try and see them steps on that podium again.

Interview: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: MPS Images

British Championship

Bickers to supply UK market with Alpinestars

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This is great news for UK motocross dealers, who can now order Alpinestars Boots and Protection for the motocross and enduro community.

Full PR:
Bickers are pleased to announce a new partnership with Alpinestars, from 2024 Bickers will be a
newly appointed distributor of Alpinestars Off-Road range of MX, Enduro and Trials footwear and
protections.

Alpinestars has been redefining protection for motorcyclists ever since the company was established
in 1963. Commitment to innovation has led Alpinestars to become the world-leading manufacturer
of professional motorsport racing products, motorcycling airbag protection, high-performance
apparel, technical footwear, and helmets. Alpinestars understands that the best design and research
is achieved under extreme conditions. Their involvement in Formula 1, NASCAR, MotoGP, World
SBK, AMA Supercross and Motocross, MXGP, Dakar and more has led to the creation of the most
advanced technical equipment for the racing world’s top athletes.

Bickers and Alpinestars will be working together in the UK and Ireland (via Bickers Dornan) to create
an industry leading integrated sales program, reaching the Bickers dealer network; carrying stock in
2 strategic locations in the UK and Ireland to ensure next day delivery on all items.
Stock is in the UK and available now, to see the range visit alpinestars.com or bickers-online.co.uk.

Chris Hillard (Alpinestars Communications Manager)

Alpinestars are pleased to welcome Bickers as a distributor of our MX/Off-Road range in the UK and
Ireland. With their proven record in offering next day service to dealers; we see Bickers as a logical
partner to add to our already strong network of Dealers and Distributors in the region. With focus on
offering keystone hard goods from our range; namely Footwear and Protection. Central to our plan,
inside July/August 2024 Bickers will also become an Official Alpinestars repair and service center for
MX Goods, with the aim of increasing efficiency for our UK/Ireland based racers and customers
moving ahead, and we look forward to developing this partnership.

Derek McMartin (Bickers)
“Bickers are extremely excited to be able to service and sell Alpinestars Range of Off-Road Footwear
and Protection and cannot wait to start offering these great products to our dealers”
To see what Bickers offer, please go to bickers-online.co.uk
You can visit the Full Range at Alpinestars direct alpinestars.com.

Picture – KTM Group

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Breaking News

NPC 2024 IS ON! All eyes are on Oakhanger.

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Oakhanger will host the first round of the NPC series this weekend. Gulf Racing Fuels, which will support the series for the next three years, will be in attendance. The line looks impressive, while entry lists are still being worked on. Starting a series from scratch is always hard, but trying to do that in a recession and with industry budgets at an all-time low is even more challenging. The guys behind the NPC have been working around the clock to make this happen.

MX1 and MX2 classes will provide some exciting racing with this at the weekend. MX1 will see Tristan Purdon, Brad Todd, Jamie Carpenter, Carlton Husband, Tom Grimshaw, John Adamson, Dan Thornhill, Chalie Putnam, and Aaron Patstone lining up. MX2 will offer some great racing with Charlie Cole, Charlie Heyman, Ollie Colmer, Ben Mustoe, Glen McCormick, Callum Mitchell, Syd Putnam, Ben Franklin, Harvey Cashmore and Liam Bennet all looking to get some hours in the bank racing.

Justin Barclay and Alfie Smith have produced a stunning track for riders to compete on. As I’m typing this update, more British riders are signing up, and they will be confirmed every day leading up to what will be a historical event. I say historical because I believe this series will go from strength to strength and offer one of the best championships in the UK and, hopefully, Europe.

The Acerbis is cancelled this weekend, so places at the NPC are filling up fast. There are four groups, and wildcards are still available in each group.

Entries for the event can be accessed here: https://nora92.com/event/nora-pro-championship-round-1/#tribe-tickets

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British Championship

Andrew Short confirmed for the 2024 VMXdN at Foxhill

No Short measures for Team USA

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The promoters for the annual VMXdN Foxhill have announced that former factory HRC, KTM Factory Racing and Monster Energy Yamaha rider Andrew Short will be racing at the legendary Wiltshire Grand Prix circuit over August bank holiday weekend (August 22nd-26th) as part of the American squad.


Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Supplied


Short has had a stellar sixteen-year pro career, during that time, he earned over 50 podium finishes and nine wins, he is also one of the nicest guys you could wish to meet. One of his personal highlights was being part of the American Team that won the 2010 Motocross of Nations held in his home state of Colorado. 

After he retired from professional motocross at the end of 2016, Short then worked as a team advisor and brand ambassador for Factory Honda HRC before making a big transition to compete in rally racing and take on the ultimate rally race – the Dakar.

After a steep learning curve, he was able to become competitive in rally and even took his first win at the 2019 Rallye du Maroc, a leadup to the 2020 Dakar. He raced for the Rockstar Husqvarna team as well as the Monster Energy Factory Yamaha rally teams.

After a nasty injury while riding at home, he is now back to full fitness and bang up for the challenge that is Foxhill, the greatest 2-stroke event in the world. Short will race a 2002 YZ 250 built and maintained by the crew at DocWob. Team USA won the inaugural event in 2022 and finished 3rd behind Team GB and Team Northern Ireland in 2023. 

The race is already creating a huge buzz with new and returning legends being announced weekly, it really is a whos’ who of the sport through the golden heydays of the 90’s and 00’s era.

Labelled by RacerX magazine as “the Woodstock of two strokes” the event simply goes from strength to strength.

With ticket sales up year on year, the promoters have been blown away at the response to the event and are urging spectators to purchase tickets asap. Could this be the first outdoor motocross event in the UK to be ticket only? Camping passes will be capped at last year’s numbers as simply putting it – it was full!

Ensure your place at the most anticipated event on the British MX calendar by booking early.

Saturday, Sunday, Weekend and Camping passes are available at https://vmxdnfoxhill2024.eventbrite.co.uk

Keep up to date with all the VMXdN Foxhill news

www.vmxdnfoxhill.com 

www.facebook.com/vmxdnfoxhills 

https://www.instagram.com/vmxdnfoxhill/

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