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Coppins 10th in GP of Benelux

Tuesday 7 September 2010, 8:15AM

By Josh "Lizzard" Coppins

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 Josh Coppins still showed the same grit and determination he did 17 years ago when he first raced a Grand Prix as a teenager
Josh Coppins still showed the same grit and determination he did 17 years ago when he first raced a Grand Prix as a teenager Credit: Josh "Lizzard" Coppins
 Josh Coppins still showed the same grit and determination he did 17 years ago when he first raced a Grand Prix as a teenager
Josh Coppins still showed the same grit and determination he did 17 years ago when he first raced a Grand Prix as a teenager Credit: Josh "Lizzard" Coppins

In his penultimate GP of a successful career in World Championship Motocross Josh Coppins still showed the same grit and determination he did 17 years ago when he first raced a Grand Prix as a teenager, fresh out of his home in New Zealand. The 12000 fans all cheered for the star who ultimately managed a top 10 performance on board his Factory Aprilia machine.

‘Lizzard’ took a big fall through one of the rough and rutted sections during morning warm up on Sunday, but despite some internal bleeding on his thigh and a sore neck he was still happy to contest the two harsh motos.

In the opening race ‘Lizzard’ grabbed a decent start and was challenging just outside the top 10 on the opening laps. Initially Coppins battled to get a good rhythm, but as the race wore on the Kiwi found his form as he battled bar to bar with Desalle for a number of laps, before ultimately crossing the finish in 11th position.

The second moto was another decent start for Coppins as he powered the V-Twin Aprilia around the opening lap in 12th position. This time out Coppins was straight into a good pace and started to work his way up into 9th as he battled with Barragan and Desalle. In the end Desalle pipped Coppins to 9th as the New Zealander crossed the line in 10th followed by the strong Spaniard Barragan in 11th.

Coppins commented on the weekend: “It was quite an emotional weekend for me as I officially announced my retirement from Grand Prix racing, something that is part of me. I am fortunate to have been able to race at this level for so long, and actually I still feel very strong and love this, but 17 years is a lot. The racing this weekend was also good, a top 10 result on this tough circuit is certainly not a disappointment for me or the team. Now I will get ready for my final ever GP which takes place in Italy next weekend.”

Results



Moto 1
1 Nagl, Maximilian
2 Cairoli, Antonio
3 Ramon, Steve
4 Leok, Tanel
5 Philippaerts, David
6 de Dycker, Ken
7 Goncalves, Rui
8 de Reuver, Marc
9 Guarneri, Davide
10 Desalle, Clement
11 Coppins, Joshua

Moto 2
1 Cairoli, Antonio
2 Goncalves, Rui
3 Ramon, Steve
4 Nagl, Maximilian
5 Philippaerts, David
6 de Reuver, Marc
7 Leok, Tanel
8 Guarneri, Davide
9 Desalle, Clement
10 Coppins, Joshua

Overall

1 Cairoli, Antonio ITA 47
2 Nagl, Maximilian GER 43
3 Ramon, Steve BEL 40
4 Goncalves, Rui POR 36
5 Philippaerts, David ITA 32
6 Leok, Tanel EST 32
7 de Reuver, Marc NED 28
8 Guarneri, Davide ITA 25
9 Desalle, Clement BEL 23
10 Coppins, Joshua NZL 21


World Championship Standings

1 Cairoli, A. 625
2 Desalle, C. 494
3 Philippaerts, D. 473
4 Nagl, M. 463
5 Ramon, Steve 448
6 Leok, Tanel 346
7 de Dycker, Ken 324
8 Boog, Xavier 299
9 Bobryshev, E. 270
10 Guarneri, D. 267
12 Coppins, J. 231



www.joshcoppins.com