Coppins on the Podium in Portugal
Great weather conditions have complimented a thrilling 3rd round of the FIM Motocross World champs held in Agueda, Portugal. Factory Yamaha Monster racer, Josh Coppins, showed his fighting spirit to claim his first podium of the season with an outstanding final corner dash in the sweltering Portuguese heat.
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The second moto seemed to be a carbon copy for the Kiwi as he settled into 5th position, again riding his own pace. The lead changed hands when MacKenzie threw it away to Sebastien Pourcel, putting the Frenchman in virtual GP overall victory. While the heat took it’s toll on the riders the pace started to slow however Coppins picked up his lap times and shut down Steve Ramon with two laps to go. The Belgian let up his guard in the last turn before the checkered flag and Coppins pounced on him to snatch away third place and an overall spot on the podium.
“I could see Steve was fading and I put in some extra effort to catch him on the last lap.” explained Coppins. “He went wide and I couldn’t believe my eyes so I took the inside and made the pass right on the finish line. It’s been a tough start to the season and I don’t have the speed at the moment. All I have is consistency and I need to patient which is very hard at this time as I want to win. I’m doing the best I can and I’m sure that the next race will be much better.”
Coppins has moved to third in the MX1 standings and has reduced the points deficit to 19 from fellow Yamaha Monster team-mate David Philippaerts. Coppins will take advantage of a free weekend to gain some more bike time before heading to Bulgaria for round 4 on the 10-11 May.
Image: CDS
Race results:
MX1 Race 1
1 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
2 Pourcel, Sebastien FRA Kawasaki
3 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM
4 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda
5 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
6 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki
7 de Reuver, Marc NED Honda
8 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki
9 Brown, Mike USA Honda
10 Desalle, Clement BEL Suzuki
11 Bill, Julien SUI Honda
12 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
13 Schiffer, Marcus GER KTM
14 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki
15 Noble, James GBR KTM
16 Salvini, Alex ITA Suzuki
17 Priem, Manuel BEL Kawasaki
18 Nemeth, Kornel HUN KTM
19 Chiodi, Alessio ITA TM
20 Renet, Pierre A. FRA Suzuki
21 Campano, Carlos ESP Yamaha
22 Leok, Aigar EST Yamaha
23 Melotte, Cedric BEL Aprilia
MX1 Race 2
1 Pourcel, Sebastien FRA Kawasaki
2 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
3 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
4 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki
5 Brown, Mike
6 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda
7 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM
8 de Reuver, Marc NED Honda
9 Nemeth, Kornel HUN KTM
10 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki
11 Desalle, Clement BEL Suzuki
12 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
13 Campano, Carlos ESP Yamaha
14 Noble, James GBR KTM
15 Renet, Pierre A. FRA Suzuki
16 Schiffer, Marcus GER KTM
17 Goncalves, Paulo POR Honda
18 Salvini, Alex ITA Suzuki
19 van Daele, Marvin BEL Suzuki
20 Priem, Manuel BEL Kawasaki
21 Freibergs, Lauris LAT Yamaha
MX1 Podium
1 Pourcel, Sebastien FRA Kawasaki
2 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
3 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
MX1 Championship standings:
1 Philippaerts, D. ITA 102
2 Ramon, Steve BEL 96
3 Coppins, J. NZL 83
4 Mackenzie, B. GBR 79
5 de Dycker, Ken BEL 77
6 Nagl, M. GER 58
7 Barragan, J. ESP 54
8 Pourcel, S. FRA 52
9 Leok, Tanel EST 50
10 Nemeth, Kornel HUN 48
11 Desalle, C. BEL 43
12 Brown, Mike USA 42
13 Priem, Manuel BEL 40
14 de Reuver, M. NED 40
15 Strijbos, K. BEL 36
