Mel Pocock (REVO Husqvarna UK) raced to an emotional opening moto win as the ultra-competitive EMX250 championship kicked off this afternoon at Redsand in Spain.

The 25-year-old Brit won the Euro title in 2012 but three years later sustained a career-threatening hand injury that cost him most of his right thumb and sidelined him for almost two full seasons but in the Spanish sand he showed that he’s finally back to his brilliant best.

Starting near the front, he patiently worked his way up the field before making a pass stick at half-distance. Once there he produced a series of fast, controlled laps to run out winner by over one-and-a-half seconds from France’s Tom Vialle (KTM).

“It’s indescribable,” said Pocock, fighting back the tears. “From almost losing my hand, all the hard work we’ve put in. I’m so thankful to everyone who’s behind me. I’m speechless.”

France’s Pierre Goupillon (Kawasaki) was third ahead of Britain’s Steven Clarke (Carglass Honda) who was Euro champ in 2014 and Kiwi Dylan Walsh (Husqvarna).

Pocock’s team-mate Martin Barr passed his way to 10th from the back of the field – the veteran Irishman forced to put together a string of typically aggressive moves after going down at the start – to finish one place ahead of Britain’s Josh Spinks (M Smith KTM) with Liam Knight (Pope KTM) in 16th.

Earlier in the day Holland’s Mike Kras (GL12 Racing KTM) won the weekend’s opening EMX300 moto from Italian Manuel Iacopi (Yamaha) and Andero Lusbo (Husqvarna) from Estonia.

Belgium’s Greg Smets (KTM) – who won both motos last weekend in Valkenswaard – was fifth, one place ahead of Britain’s defending champion Brad Anderson (Verde Substance KTM).

The result moves Kras, who’s now in his second season for the British team, into a one-point championship lead over Smets with Anderson a further nine points off the pace in third.

Both classes will race again tomorrow morning to determine the overall results.