Alvin Ostlund claimed a podium finish with a super-strong third overall and Dylan Walsh ended the day just one place behind him as REVO Husqvarna UK got its Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship campaign off to a solid start at FatCat Motoparc on Sunday.
With high winds and torrential rain making conditions on one of the UK’s toughest tracks extremely challenging, Dylan went to the line first after topping MX2 qualification on his FC 250 with Alvin ending the morning session in fourth just over a second behind his team-mate.
Dylan started the opening moto well and was running as high as second in the deep sand before a crash dropped him down the order and he came home fifth. Alvin didn’t get out of the gate as well but put in a succession of strong laps and worked his way up to third at the flag.
In race two Alvin started near the front and secured his place on the podium with another hard-fought third but Dylan hit the gate before showing his class by charging from 24th after the opening lap up to fourth for fourth overall.
The team can now enjoy a rare weekend off before travelling to Matterley Basin for the MXGP of Great Britain, round two of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
Team principal Mark Yates: “We went 3-4 overall which for me is quite acceptable, especially given the conditions which were brutal with heavy rain and a driving wind.
“Both riders made a couple of little mistakes which cost them but considering the weekend with the weather I’ll take third and fourth and I’m pleased with the lads.
“Yes, there are things we need to work on but overall it’s not a bad result and with the British GP coming up it’s a case of moving forwards. It’s been a cold, wet and miserable day and both Alvin and Dylan have dug deep and shown their character on what I felt was quite a narrow track.
“It’s good to get this weekend over with and now we can move forward and build upon two solid finishes heading into Matterley Basin.
“I’m happy with where we are and the way Alvin and Dylan are performing at such an early stage in the season. The bikes are working well and we’re moving forward in a very positive manner.
“As always, a big thanks to the team which is pulling together and getting the job done – conditions were very testing today and they didn’t miss a beat.”
Alvin Ostlund: “Today has been good. I finished third in both motos in my first British championship races and got on the podium so I have to be happy with that.
“It was very tough and I had to stay focussed – it was not easy to not make mistakes and I almost crashed a few times in the second race.”
Dylan Walsh: “I had a good start to the day by qualifying first and in the opening moto got a good start, moved up into second and was trying to get to the front quickly but went down. I got up and regrouped for fifth.
“In the second race I knew I had to get a good start but I hit the gate so was way behind and it was just a struggle. I made the best out of a not-so-good day – it was probably the roughest track I’ve ever ridden and the 50mph winds didn’t help!
“Of course, I would have liked to have a podium but it’s an okay start to the championship and something I can build on.”
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