The Italian round of the European 250cc Motocross Championships (EMX250) at Ottobiano provided perhaps the most intriguing races of the season, with its ultra competitive field and Kiwi rider Dylan Walsh one of the most outstanding performers.

Taking the overall victory via two strong races was Yamaha’s Roan van de Moosdijk, with Canterbury man Walsh (Husqvarna) claiming runner-up spot, finishing the weekend just one point further back.

Spread across two days of racing, this seventh round of 11 was packed with action and talent.

Saturday’s early timed sessions and Last Chance Race provided a 40-rider gate for the championship points paying races. With several Italians in the mix the fans onsite were just as interested and vocal for the pair of EMX races. Saturday’s race one gave the first taste of who could handle the sand and heat of Ottobiano but Sunday’s second race was ultimately the deciding factor.

Race one was perfect for Team DIGA-Procross’ team rider Walsh, who took the holeshot and led every single lap. Behind Walsh was Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Mathys Boisrame with his championship leader red plate. BUD Racing Monster Energy’s Brian Moreau was next and van de Moosdijk held fourth. With only three laps complete, Moreau crashed while chasing Boisrame which gave third to van de Moosdijk.

Later Boisrame charged forward to close the lead down to the back wheel of Walsh but a strong response from Walsh gave him the race win with Boisrame second, and van de Moosdijk taking third. Creymert Racing’s Kevin Horgmo took fourth after passing his way up from seventh and Yamaha SM Action-M.C. Migliori’s Maxime Renaux was fifth.

Race two on Sunday was led off the start by Carglass Honda’s Steven Clarke with KTM Silver Action’s Gianluca Facchetti in third. Team Suzuki Germany’s young Australian rider, Jett Lawrence, started the race in fourth and quickly turned it into a break through ride. Lawrence took second on lap two after Facchetti crashed himself out of the race. Also moving forward a position was Moreau into third and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Mikkel Haarup in fourth.

Two laps later, Lawrence passed Clarke and left the Brit behind over the next 13 laps. Moreau was passed for third by Haarup three laps after Lawrence took the lead, but later crashed out the race also allowing Moreau to reassume third spot. Van de Moosdijk was on a massive charge through the field from 15th on lap one to pass Moreau four laps before the finish.

Lawrence took his first ever race win with Clarke second, van de Moosdijk third, Moreau fourth, and previous championship leader, REVO Huqvarna UK’s Mel Pocock in fifth.

In the overall classification it was Roan van de Moosdijk’s consistent 3-3 that took the win over Walsh and Lawrence. Boisrame took fourth and grew his points lead over Pocock by another six points.

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RESULTS & STANDINGS:

EMX250 Race 1 Top 10:

1. Dylan Walsh (NZL, Husqvarna), 30:24.695; 2. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Honda), +0:01.662; 3. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Yamaha), +0:02.250; 4. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KTM), +0:03.290; 5. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:07.182; 6. Martin Barr (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:07.507; 7. Karlis Sabulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:19.055; 8. Brian Strubhart Moreau (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:22.737; 9. Mel Pocock (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:25.141; 10. Jett Lawrence (AUS, Suzuki), +0:25.426

EMX250 Race 2 Top 10:

1. Jett Lawrence (AUS, Suzuki), 29:49.846; 2. Steven Clarke (GBR, Honda), +0:06.788; 3. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Yamaha), +0:20.621; 4. Brian Strubhart Moreau (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:23.739; 5. Mel Pocock (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:26.354; 6. Karlis Sabulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:27.677; 7. Dylan Walsh (NZL, Husqvarna), +0:38.322; 8. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:42.013; 9. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Honda), +0:44.148; 10. Josh Spinks (GBR, KTM), +0:46.862

EMX250 Overall Top 10:

1. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, YAM), 40 points; 2. Dylan Walsh (NZL, HUS), 39 p.; 3. Jett Lawrence (AUS, SUZ), 36 p.; 4. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, HON), 34 p.; 5. Brian Strubhart Moreau (FRA, KAW), 31 p.; 6. Karlis Sabulis (LAT, YAM), 29 p.; 7. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 29 p.; 8. Steven Clarke (GBR, HON), 28 p.; 9. Mel Pocock (GBR, HUS), 28 p.; 10. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KTM), 25 p.

EMX250 Championship Top 10:

1. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, HON), 228 points; 2. Mel Pocock (GBR, HUS), 209 p.; 3. Martin Barr (GBR, HUS), 196 p.; 4. Steven Clarke (GBR, HON), 183 p.; 5. Dylan Walsh (NZL, HUS), 180 p.; 6. Brian Strubhart Moreau (FRA, KAW), 158 p.; 7. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, YAM), 155 p.; 8. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, HUS), 142 p.; 9. Tom Vialle (FRA, HUS), 136 p.; 10. Pierre Goupillon (FRA, KAW), 132 p.