In what has turned out to be one of the most unpredictable results in the 2008 FIM MX World championship, Yamaha Monster racer, Josh Coppins has managed to keep his title hunt alive at a treacherous Lommel sand circuit in Belgium.

The Kiwi’s hopes of victory looked grim coming into the event as Coppins had caught a bout of flu on his return from the South African GP and had to control a high fever two days before the 11th and Belgian round.

With the odds against him, Coppins fought hard in the first grueling MX1 race to finish in a well deserved 5th spot under the circumastances. He hunted down, Steve Ramon, with the Belgian championship contender well within striking distance at the flag.

Fellow Yamaha Monster team-mate, David Philippaerts, fell victim to a questionable, aggressive pass by Belgian, Ken de Dycker that saw the Italian hit the sand hard and have to ride home in 15th.

The rough conditions in moto 2 would put the riders fitness levels to the test and would determine the outcome. Coppins battled to maintain his pace throughout the 35 minute + 2 lap race but still fought for every position. With five minutes to go on the clock he came together with Billy MacKenzie with both riders going down. Coppins quickly remounted and managed not to lose too many places. With moto 1 winner, Marc De Reuver also crashing out of contention, Coppins managed to salvage one more spot to end 8th for 7th overall.

“I had a bad fever on Wednesday and Thursday and we worked hard to get rid of that so I wasn’t feeling 100% all weekend. I struggled with my race pace – I could push and then felt tired, then I could push again and then have to let up again. It’s a shame because physically this is one of the toughest races of the year and normally that’s my strong point and I just wasn’t able to use my trump card this weekend. I didn’t have any strength left after 20 minutes so it was a case of survival. I need to concentrate on being healthy for the next race and work my back from there.” explained a drained Coppins.

Coppins has still managed to claw back 6 points in the title chase and is placed third overall with four GP’s remaining. He is 17 points adrift of new red-plate holder and leader Steve Ramon. The next round will take place this weekend at the hilly Loket circuit in the Czech Republic.

Race results :

MX1 Race 1
1 de Reuver, Marc NED Honda
2 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM
3 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki
4 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki
5 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
6 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
7 Pourcel, Sebastien FRA Kawasaki
8 Desalle, Clement BEL Suzuki
9 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda
10 Priem, Manuel BEL Kawasaki
11 Nemeth, Kornel HUN KTM
12 Leok, Aigar EST Yamaha
13 Roos, Patrick NED KTM
14 Melotte, Cedric BEL Aprilia
15 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha

MX1 Race 2
1 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM
2 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
3 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki
4 Pourcel, Sebastien FRA Kawasaki
5 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki
6 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
7 Nemeth, Kornel HUN KTM
8 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
9 Leok, Aigar EST Yamaha
10 de Reuver, Marc NED Honda
11 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda
12 Anderson, Bradley GBR Suzuki
13 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki
14 Bill, Julien SUI Honda
15 Church, Tom GBR Kawasaki

MX1 GP classification:
1 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM 47
2 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki 40
3 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM 37
4 de Reuver, Marc NED Honda 36
5 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki 34
6 Pourcel, Sebastien FRA Kawasaki 32
7 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha 29
8 Nemeth, Kornel HUN KTM 24
9 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda 22
10 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha 21

MX1 World championship standings:
1 Ramon, Steve BEL 362
2 Philippaerts, D. ITA 360
3 Coppins, J. NZL 345
4 de Dycker, Ken BEL 336
5 Barragan, J. ESP 331
6 Pourcel, S. FRA 306
7 Nagl, M. GER 290
8 Mackenzie, B. GBR 257
9 Leok, Tanel EST 245
10 de Reuver, M. NED 214
11 Desalle, C. BEL 190
12 Priem, Manuel BEL 173
13 Bill, J. SUI 148
14 Nemeth, Kornel HUN 139
15 Leok, Aigar EST 118