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Coppins wins in Bulgaria

Wednesday, 08 April 2009 23:30

Kiwi motocross star, Josh Coppins, has traveled to sunny Bulgaria this past weekend for round 2 of the FIM Motocross World Championship. After the rain and deep mud in Italy a week ago, the Monster Energy Yamaha racer, was especially happy to be greeted by a perfectly prepared race circuit and weather conditions in Sevlievo.

Saturday’s qualifying race saw a super energized ‘Lizzard’ back on form. Having to fight back from a mediocre start, exiting corner 1 in 9th, Josh was on the gas as he battled bar to bar with team mate David Philippaerts. At the end of the intense 20 minute and 2 lap race Coppins had pushed his way through to 6th

Coppins was ready for heat 1 on Sunday and when the gate dropped his distinctive black and white race gear could be seen at the front of the charging pack as he launched towards the first corner. Completing lap 1 in 3rd position the New Zealander was in a great position, and in no time he pushed himself passed Max Nagl and into 2nd position. In his groove, the Coppins rode a smooth race until the end of the heat, crossing the finish line in 2nd position and claiming 22 valuable championship points.

Heat 2 was yet another great show up front, with Coppins positioning himself in the heat of the battle.  He hounded German, Max Nagl with both riders setting a blistering pace.  With 10 minutes to go, it was Coppins who took over the lead as he made his way past Nagl, however a fast charging Barragan in turn took moved to the front a lap later. This left a charging pack behind Coppins as he was trying his best to maintain his second position. At the end of a nail biting race Coppins crossed the finish line with another 2nd position, giving him the overall win for the day and putting him just one point off the lead in the MX1 World Motocross Championship.

“This weekend it came together for me,” explained the delighted Kiwi.  “I have been training really hard and my fitness is good – This has given me the confidence to ride hard. I was not the fastest rider out there today, but my starts were great and I rode very smooth, kept out of trouble, and got the results.”

Coppins will return to his home base in Belgium where he will have very little time to rest before heading to Turkey for round 3 next weekend.

Heat 1 Results
1        de Dycker, Ken         BEL
2        Coppins, Joshua       NZL
3        Nagl, Maximilian        GER
4        Barragan, Jonathan   ESP
5        Philippaerts, David     ITA
6        Leok, Tanel              EST
7        Cairoli, Antonio         ITA
8        Ramon, Steve          BEL
9        Strijbos, Kevin          BEL
10      Desalle, Clement       BEL
 
Heat 2 Results
1        Barragan, Jonathan   ESP
2        Coppins, Joshua       NZL
3        Philippaerts, David     ITA
4        Cairoli, Antonio         ITA
5        Nagl, Maximilian        GER
6        Leok, Tanel              EST
7        Ramon, Steve          BEL
8        de Dycker, Ken         BEL
9        Mackenzie, Billy        GBR
10      Swanepoel, Gareth    RSA
 
Overall Results - Bulgaria
1        Coppins, Joshua       NZL
2        Barragan, Jonathan   ESP
3        de Dycker, Ken         BEL
4        Philippaerts, David     ITA
5        Nagl, Maximilian        GER
6        Cairoli, Antonio         ITA
7        Leok, Tanel              EST
8        Ramon, Steve           BEL
9        Vuillemin, David        FRA
10      Desalle, Clement       BEL
 
MX1 World Championship Standings after Rd 2
1        de Dycker, Ken         BEL     60
2        Coppins, J.                NZL     59
3        Leok, Tanel              EST    55
4        Barragan, J.             ESP     54
5        Nagl, M.                  GER     50
6        Philippaerts, D.         ITA     48
7        Cairoli, A.                ITA     48
8        Desalle, C.               BEL     37
9        Ramon, Steve          BEL     36
10      Leok, Aigar              EST    23