Josh Coppins takes top step of the podium in Bulgaria

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.

www.joshcoppins.com

Images: CDS

Race results:

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