Factory Yamaha Rinaldi
racer, Josh Coppins, has finished second at the International Motocross
season opener in Mantova, Italy. The New Zealander, who has openly admitted
his dislike of the tight sandy circuit, racked up a 7-4-4 result, following
home fellow team-mate David Philippaerts.
Coppins, also finished second in the one-on-one challenge, coming up against Estonian Tanel Leok in the final match. This event sees two riders go head to head for a one lap knock out system until the two fastest challenges are left over to battle in the grand finale.
“It’s been a tough weekend really,” commented Coppins. “I had a pretty hard crash on Saturday and saw a few stars but was happy with my times up to that point. In the first moto on Sunday I had a good start but then slipped out in a corner and went down. I managed to work my way back from around twentieth to seventh which wasn’t too bad. The next two races were pretty consistent with two fourth positions. I didn’t enjoy the track however this has been my best Mantova finish ever so I’ll take it. I was happy with the new bike and suspension and got decent starts so we have a good base to work from.”
Coppins is scheduled to race the Italian championship in Montevarchi
next weekend and will be staying in Italy for further testing.
Click here to see Mantova gallery.
Results:
Moto 1
1. Jonathan Barragan
2. David Philippaerts
3. Max Nagl
4. Marc de Reuver
5. Tyla Rattray
6. Steve Ramon
7. Josh Coppins
8. Seb Pourcel
9. Kevin Strijbos
10. Bas Verhoeven
Moto 2
1. David Philippaerts
2. Marc De Reuver
3. Seb Pourcel
4. Josh Coppins
5. Steve Ramon
6. Kevin Strijbos
7. Max Nagl
8. Tanel Leok
9. Tommy Searle
10. Manuel Priem
Moto 3
1. Jonathan Barragan
2. Tanel Leok
3. David Philippaerts
4. Josh Coppins
5. Tommy Searle
6. Manuel Priem
7. Kevin Strijbos
8. Steve Ramon
9. Max Nagl
10. Rui Goncalves
Overall MX1:
1. David Philippaerts
2. Josh Coppins
3. Jonathan Barragan
4. Marc De Reuver
5. Max Nagle
6. Steve Ramon
7. Tanel Leok
8. Kevin Strijbos
9. Sebastien Pourcel
10 Clement DeSalle