Round 7 of the MX1 Motocross World Championship headed to sunny Spain this weekend where, Yamaha Monster Energy racer, Josh Coppins, was eager to get himself back in the championship hunt having put in some hard work over the past weeks.Coppins arrived at the Bellpuig circuit with increased confidence in his physical condition which was sure to be tested in the hot conditions.
In the Saturday qualifying race ‘Lizzard’ looked good as he closed up the opening lap in a solid 3rd position which he held through to the finish, giving a prime gate pick for Sunday’s two 35 minute and 2 lap Grand Prix races.
With 20.000 enthusiastic spectators focusing on the starting line for moto 1, Coppins got a good jump out the gate and ran into turn one in the top 5. Racing hard on the opening laps the Kiwi quickly clawed himself up into the third position. Following a hard fought battle with both Desalle and Philippaerts, Coppins would eventually finish the race in 4th place gaining more vital MX1 World Championship points.
Moto 2 would once again see another good jump for Coppins out the gate however he lost the hole-shot exiting the first turn and rounded up the first lap in 4th position. Showing early speed ‘Lizzard’ pulled up to 3rd position on the dry choppy circuit racing however as the race wore on Coppins was not able to keep his initial pace going. The New Zealander lost his race rhythm and a number of positions, eventually crossing the finish line in 8th position to claim 6th overall for the GP while maintaining 4th position in the MX1 World Championship standings.
A disappointed Coppins commented on his race day: “My speed in both races was good at the start, but I really battled then as the race ran on. In that 2nd moto I got into 3rd and was happy, but I just made too many mistakes and kept dropping further and further down the pack. The 2nd moto is one I am glad is behind me and I just need to focus on the next Grand Prix now.”
Coppins will travel to the UK next for Round 7 of the MX1 Motocross World Championships taking place at Mallory Park on the 31st May.
Image: CDS
Race results:
Mx1 Race 1
1 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM
2 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda
3 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
4 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
5 Vuillemin, David FRA Kawasaki
6 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki
7 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
8 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha
9 Leok, Tanel EST Yamaha
10 Leok, Aigar EST TM
11 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda
12 Bill, Julien SUI Aprilia
13 Campano, Carlos ESP Yamaha
14 Church, Tom GBR CCM
15 Dougan, Jason GBR CCM
MX1 Race 2
1 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha
2 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
3 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
4 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM
5 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda
6 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki
7 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda
8 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
9 Vuillemin, David FRA Kawasaki
10 Aranda, Gregory FRA Kawasaki
11 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki
12 Priem, Manuel BEL Aprilia
13 Leok, Tanel EST Yamaha
14 Leok, Aigar EST TM
15 Krestinov, Gert EST KTM
MX1 GP Overall
1 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM 43
2 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha 40
3 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha 38
4 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM 36
5 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda 36
6 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha 31
7 Vuillemin, David FRA Kawasaki 28
8 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda 26
9 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki 25
10 Leok, Tanel EST Yamaha 20
Mx1 World championship standings:
1 Cairoli, A. ITA 231
2 Barragan, J. ESP 195
3 de Dycker, Ken BEL 183
4 Coppins, J. NZL 175
5 Philippaerts, D. ITA 174
6 Leok, Tanel EST 162
7 Desalle, C. BEL 162
8 Nagl, M. GER 155
9 Vuillemin, D. FRA 101
10 Ramon, Steve BEL 100
11 Swanepoel, G. RSA 92
12 Leok, Aigar EST 85
13 Strijbos, K. BEL 82
14 Mackenzie, B. GBR 68
15 Aranda, G. FRA 50
5/18/2009 3:24pm
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