Mixed Fortunes For Coppins



Motueka’s Josh Coppins (Aprilia), on the climb up the championship standings.

There were mixed fortunes for Kiwi Josh Coppins at the latest round of the motocross world championships in Spain at the weekend, but the man from Motueka is at least still climbing the points ladder.

The factory Aprilia rider finished 14th and 13th in the two MX1 motos at the round five event at Bellpuig, lifting himself up one position to 11th in the championships rankings.

Estonia’s Tanel Leok (Honda) won the GP with 7-1 results, but Italian defending champion Antonio Cairoli (KTM) – who finished 6-3 at the weekend -- continues to lead the championship standings.

Coppins’ first moto did not get off to a good start as a first turn pile-up saw Lizzard at the bottom of the heap as the pack disappeared into the distance.  He remounted and gave chase to the field putting in some strong and consistent lap times and making good passes as he climbed the standings.

Coppins was able to take advantage of a fallen Steve Ramon (Suzuki), one corner from the chequered flag, to secure 14th spot.

A much better start in race two had Coppins placed in the top 10.

Carrying good lines and setting consistent lap times, ‘Lizzard’ looked set for a great result when technical gremlins affected his machine.  Coppins nursed home a broken fuel pump to finish 13th for 12th overall for the day.

“I’m a bit gutted about the second moto,” admitted Coppins. “The team and I have been working hard on putting two strong results together but it did not happen this weekend.  We have improved our starts which has been an important goal as it is hard to come through the pack with such a strong field.

“Hopefully we’ll have these technical issues ironed out for the US GP.  I’m looking for to racing in Glen Helen (in the United States).”

Coppins will be afforded a week’s break before heading to Sacramento, California, for round six on May 29-30.

MX1 World championship standings:

1 Cairoli, A. ITA 214

2 Nagl, M. GER 198

3 Philippaerts, D. ITA 171

4 Desalle, C. BEL 158

5 de Dycker, Ken BEL 145

6 Ramon, Steve BEL 144

7 Boog, Xavier FRA 136

8 Leok, Tanel EST 135

9 Bobryshev, E. RUS 106

10 Guarneri, D. ITA 84

11 Coppins, J. NZL 78

12 Pourcel, S. FRA 75

13 Strijbos, K. BEL 70

14 Swanepoel, G. RSA 67

15 Boissiere, A. FRA 62