CAS Honda star, Josh Coppins has raced onto the podium at the British GP to produce a brilliant comeback after a devastating shoulder injury sidelined the New Zealander two days prior to the season opener in April, earlier this year.

Coppins proved that he had not lost his touch when he grabbed the hole-shot in race one, which had 39.000 frantic spectators cheering the Kiwi on. An aggressive Steve Ramon made his way past ‘Lizzard’ only to bite the dirt a few corners later with Coppins having to over-run his turn to avoid hitting the Belgian. After settling into position, he managed to re-pass Frenchman Pascal Leuret and Cedric Melotte to move into second behind championship leader Stefan Everts. Coppins defended his position with determination however a last lap battle ensued with fellow team-mate Ken De Dycker which would see the two Honda riders have a ding dong battle right to the finish line. ‘Lizzard’ was content with third place.

Another great start saw Coppins going bar to bar with Stefan Everts into the first turn however the Belgian had the advantage of the inside line and forced Coppins wide. A hectic first lap placed the New Zealander in fifth as he tried to keep touch with the leaders. A dislodged goggle lens caused by a flying rock from Tanel Leok’s back wheel meant that ‘Lizzard’ had to keep his distance and ride his own race to finish fifth. Consistency rewarded the New Zealander with third overall and spot on the podium for to conclude a magnificent return to GP racing.

“This was an important race for the team and our sponsors which is why we took the decision to race earlier than planned. I’m far from 100% fit and had problems riding the fast pace. I was not so smooth and was fighting with the bike. I broke my goggles in the second moto and had a lot of dirt in my eyes but I just rode my own race – actually the first race was seriously harder. Anyway it’s not such a bad race for first time back and Sweden and the next races will be better,” explained the elated New Zealander.

The two times British champ will contend the next round of the British MX series in Desert Martin next weekend before heading to Uddevalla Sweden for the ninth round of the MX GP series on 01-02 July.

Click here to see images of British GP.

Race results:

MX1 Race 1:

1 Everts, Stefan BEL Yamaha

2 de Dycker, Ken BEL Honda

3 Coppins, Joshua NZL Honda

4 Strijbos, Kevin BEL Suzuki

5 Melotte, Cedric BEL Yamaha

6 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki

7 Crockard, Gordon IRL Honda

8 Garcia Vico, Francisco SPA Honda

9 Leuret, Pascal FRA Honda

10 Bill, Julien SUI Yamaha

11 Noble, James GBR Honda

12 Barragan, Jonathan SPA KTM

13 Jones, Mark GBR Honda

14 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki

15 Priem, Manuel BEL Yamaha

MX1 Race 2:

1 Everts, Stefan BEL Yamaha

2 Strijbos, Kevin BEL Suzuki

3 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki

4 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki

5 Coppins, Joshua NZL Honda

6 Barragan, Jonathan SPA KTM

7 de Dycker, Ken BEL Honda

8 Melotte, Cedric BEL Yamaha

9 van Daele, Marvin BEL Honda

10 Garcia Vico, Francisco SPA Honda

11 Priem, Manuel BEL Yamaha

12 Noble, James GBR Honda

13 Bill, Julien SUI Yamaha

14 Federici, Claudio ITA Kawasaki

15 Bradshaw, Neville RSA Suzuki

MX1 World championship standings:

1 Everts, Stefan BEL 392

2 Strijbos, K. BEL 293

3 Leok, Tanel EST 278

4 de Dycker, Ken BEL 267

5 Ramon, Steve BEL 254

6 Barragan, J. SPA 190

7 Leuret, Pascal FRA 159

8 Melotte, C. BEL 147

9 Garcia Vico, F. SPA 139

10 Priem, Manuel BEL 136

11 Bill, J. SUI 126

12 Jorgensen, B. DEN 120

13 van Daele, M. BEL 12014 Noble, James GBR 108

15 Tortelli, S. FRA 99

23 Coppins, J. NZL 36