REVO Husqvarna UK reveal new rider line-up – ambitious plans for 2018 and beyond

REVO Husqvarna has announced a new signing for 2018 with the promise of one more name for their three-rider MX2 roster to be revealed in the coming days.

With increased support from Husqvarna UK, the British-based REVO Husqvarna will compete in EMX250 full time in 2018 as they step up their programme.

Dylan Woodcock who recently split from Team Green Kawasaki joins the team and will be looking to get his racing career back on track after a tough rookie season in MX2.

Mel Pocock retains his place in the team following a successful 2017 campaign where he won the Michelin MX Nationals MX2 championship.

The team will compete on the manufacturer’s race-winning FC 250 in the 2018 Maxxis ACU British Motocross MX2 Championship, the full European EMX250 series and selected rounds of the Michelin MX Nationals.

The team will do their bit to develop fresh youth talent with Ollie Colmer on a small-wheel TC 85. Expect to see the 11-year-old line up at the gate for the Michelin MX Nationals and Judd Racing British Youth Nationals.

They’re an ambitious team and intend to keep pushing forward each year with plans to move into the World Motocross Championship in 2019.

“I’m really looking forward to 2018,” said Team Principal, Mark Yates. “We’re stepping up our game again next year with three full-time pro riders and also supporting young Ollie Colmer on a small-wheel 85cc machine. We’ll have a much bigger presence in the paddock with a lot more investment in the team.

“It’s very exciting to be doing the full European series and having a good go at it with three riders – I’m confident we can do well. Mel’s a former European champion so he’s the perfect man to show Dylan the ropes and with our third rider, who I can’t be named yet because of contractual obligations, I believe we’ve got an incredibly competitive team.

“With support from Husqvarna UK we had a good season this year and laid solid foundations which I’m sure we can build upon in 2018 with the aim of stepping back into GPs in 2019.”

“It’s obviously great for me to be staying with the team for 2018,” said Pocock. “It’s totally professional in its approach to racing and feels like a second-home – the atmosphere is as good as it gets and I’m 100 per cent confident in the capabilities of the FC 250.

“This year has been a solid and successful one for me but I know there’s much more to come. If I’m totally honest I was disappointed to miss out on third in the Maxxis championship by just two points as I feel I’m a contender for the title – after all, I’ve finished runner-up twice – and not just the podium.

“I’m also very excited to be doing a full EMX250 season. I won the European title in 2012 and it would be an amazing achievement to regain it six years later and with such a great team behind me I know it’s possible.”

“I’m really looking forward to next season,” said Woodcock. “I’ve ridden the Husqvarna once and, obviously, after being on Kawasaki for so long it feels very different but I took to it very well so I’m very optimistic – it’s going to be a good year.

“Racing the full EMX250 series is very exciting. I did the last round in France this year but it was very wet and more of a survival race so I don’t feel as though I gave it a good shot.

“My team-mates are very experienced which will be a big help. I train with Mel in the gym with Sol Gilbert so I’ve got a good winter of preparation ahead of me.”

SW85 pilot, Ollie Colmer, commented: “It’s a very exciting time for me and I can’t wait to get started. Jon Giffard’s doing my bikes which is great and I’ll be training with the RMJ Academy so I know I’ll be more than ready for switching from a 65 to a small-wheel 85.

“It’s a big move up but I’m confident with my speed and I’m looking forward to running up front with the faster riders.”