Rotten luck for Coppins in Ireland

The 13th round of the FIM motocross world championship has been an unlucky outing for Yamaha Monster racer, Josh Coppins. The hard working New Zealander was dealt two tough blows in both motos at an unconventional Fairyhouse circuit in Dublin, Ireland.

Coppins struggled to find top form in Saturday qualifying which would inevitably place him at a disadvantage for the start of Sunday’s race having 10th pick. As the gate dropped for moto 1, Coppins reacted fast and seemed to be challenging for the hole-shot when he was taken down while jockeying for a front spot. Coppins quickly pulled his machine out of the hay-bales and gave chase to the rest of the pack. The Kiwi’s only consolation was a 9th place at the end of the 35 minute moto.

The final moto showdown ended in catastrophe for Coppins. After narrowly making it through the first turn without incident, another rider collided in mid air with him over the table top obstacle. Coppins was unscathed in the crash but his machine sustained severe damage to the front wheel and he was unable to continue the race.

“It’s obviously been a tough weekend” admitted Coppins. “I’ve been working hard, and wanting to do well for the last three races but came here and felt that I was riding good but I couldn’t find that extra bit of speed for qualifying. You then put yourself at risk and this start was sketchy which caused crashes. This is the fourth time this season I have had to start from last and it’s never easy when you have to come from behind. In the second moto a rider in front of me got cross rutted on the take off of a table top and came across me. We touched in mid air with his foot-peg going through my front wheel. After we crashed I made it back to the pits but it was impossible to continue with the damage to the bike. I’m pretty disappointed as things don’t seem to be on my side at the moment. All I can do is keep trying my best and keep giving 100 percent.”

There will be no time to rest for the GP riders as the penultimate round will take place next weekend at the treacherous sand circuit of Lierop in the Netherlands.

www.joshcoppins.com
Image: CDS

Race results:

MX1 Race 1
1 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki
2 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki
3 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda
4 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
5 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki
6 Pourcel, Sebastien FRA Kawasaki
7 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
8 Priem, Manuel BEL Kawasaki
9 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
10 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM
11 Leok, Aigar EST Yamaha
12 Church, Tom GBR Kawasaki
13 de Reuver, Marc NED Honda
14 Desalle, Clement BEL Suzuki
15 Aranda, Gregory FRA Kawasaki

MX1 Race 2
1 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki
2 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki
3 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki
4 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
5 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda
6 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
7 Priem, Manuel BEL Kawasaki
8 Desalle, Clement BEL Suzuki
9 Pourcel, Sebastien FRA Kawasaki
10 Bill, Julien SUI Honda
11 Crockard, Gordon IRL Honda
12 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM
13 Schiffer, Marcus GER KTM
14 Aranda, Gregory FRA Kawasaki
15 Salvini, Alex ITA Suzuki
DNF Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha


Mx1 World championship standings:
1 Philippaerts, D. ITA 441
2 Ramon, Steve BEL 436
3 de Dycker, Ken BEL 414
4 Barragan, J. ESP 389
5 Coppins, J. NZL 382
6 Pourcel, S. FRA 371
7 Nagl, M. GER 356
8 Leok, Tanel EST 322
9 Mackenzie, B. GBR 293
10 Desalle, C. BEL 235
11 de Reuver, M. NED 232
12 Priem, Manuel BEL 224
13 Bill, J. SUI 159
14 Nemeth, Kornel HUN 159
15 Leok, Aigar EST 145