With a change of continent, the GP series moved to the casino resort of Sun City in South Africa. CAS Honda rider, Josh Coppins, took advantage of a technically rough circuit to notch up his third consecutive podium of the season with two second place finishes.

Coppins set third qualifying time which gave him the perfect gate position to rocket his CAS Honda to the hole-shot in race one. His lead was short lived when championship leader, Stefan Everts, took charge on lap two with the Kiwi following his every move. Coppins managed to keep Steve Ramon at bay for his first second place finish of the season.

Another great start from the number 2 CAS Honda saw Coppins lead the start of the second moto. Everts made his way past and controlled the race out front. Ramon challenged Coppins making for an exciting duel however Coppins had his Belgian rival covered. He turned up the pace and left the Belgian gaping for air in the high altitude to secure second spot.

“I’m pretty happy with today’s podium. I worked really hard in the second moto. In my first two GP’s I haven’t been fit enough in the second race and today I wasn’t too far behind Stefan so it’s definitely getting better. My CAS Honda was awesome today and what can I say, I just have to keep working hard and get closer to Everts.” said Coppins.

Coppins also took time out prior to the GP to do some PR work for Honda SA and has one more commitment in Johannesburg before heading back to Europe for the next round of the British champs in Skelder Bank. “I also want to thank all the people at Honda SA for looking after the CAS team during our visit. Their hospitality and support have been unbelievable. We have been treated like family and it’s awesome to see their commitment to the brand and sport,” commented the vice-world champ.

(Click here see the Sun City gallery)

Race results:

MX1 Race 1

1 Everts, Stefan BEL Yamaha

2 Coppins, Joshua NZL Honda

3 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki

4 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki

5 de Dycker, Ken BEL Honda

6 Melotte, Cedric BEL Yamaha

7 Leuret, Pascal FRA Honda

8 Priem, Manuel BEL Yamaha

9 Strijbos, Kevin BEL Suzuki

10 Bill, Julien SUI Yamaha

11 Pyrhonen, Antti FIN TM

12 Avis, Wyatt RSA KTM

13 Barragan, Jonathan SPA KTM

14 Garcia Vico, Francisco SPA Honda

15 Crockard, Gordon IRL Honda

MX1 Race 2

1 Everts, Stefan BEL Yamaha

2 Coppins, Joshua NZL Honda

3 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki

4 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki

5 Strijbos, Kevin BEL Suzuki

6 Barragan, Jonathan SPA KTM

7 de Dycker, Ken BEL Honda

8 Leuret, Pascal FRA Honda

9 Pyrhonen, Antti FIN TM

10 Bill, Julien SUI Yamaha

11 Crockard, Gordon IRL Honda

12 Priem, Manuel BEL Yamaha

13 Avis, Wyatt RSA KTM

14 Dugmore, Collin RSA Kawasaki

15 Noble, James GBR Honda

MX1 World championship standings:

1 Everts, Stefan BEL 492

2 Strijbos, K. BEL 356

3 Ramon, Steve BEL 334

4 Leok, Tanel EST 330

5 de Dycker, Ken BEL 322

6 Barragan, J. SPA 235

7 Leuret, Pascal FRA 186

8 Melotte, C. BEL 172

9 Garcia Vico, F. SPA 172

10 Priem, Manuel BEL 168

11 Bill, J. SUI 167

12 Noble, James GBR 138

13 Jorgensen, B. DEN 131

14 Pyrhonen, A. FIN 128

15 van Daele, M. BEL 127

16 Coppins, J NZL 116