Having won the 2007 Open Elite Championship in the youth ranks, Mel joined the UTAG Yamaha team in 2008 as a 15 year old still as a youth rider. Injuries in the team saw the youngster catapulted first into the British Championship series and eventually the MX2 World Championship at the 2008 Portuguese Grand Prix in Agueda. It was a tough rookie year in the deep end, when further glory could been sought in the schoolboy ranks, though Mel qualified for The Irish Grand Prix at just 15 years old.

In 2009, which is to be his first full World Championship Season, valuable experience will be gained, hopefully along with some points in the ultra competitive MX2 class.