Yamaha Monster Energy’s, Josh Coppins, has narrowly missed out on a podium finish at Round 9 of the World Motocross Championship this weekend, in Teutschenthal, Germany. After winning the 2008 edition with a stellar double victory ‘Lizzard’ had his sights set on a strong ride at the challenging hard-pack Talkessel circuit.

In the Saturday qualifier, Coppins got a reasonable start as he sat in 8th position on the opening lap. Held up by Billy McKenzie on lap 2, he lost time on the leaders, however once he passed the Scotsman, ‘Lizzard’ did his best to close in the competition, crossing the finish line in 6th place to qualify for a good pick on the gate for Sunday.

With overnight showers changing track conditions for the competitors, Coppins still rocketed out the gate in moto 1 , sliding through the first turn in 2nd position behind local favourite Maxi Nagl, with a charging Antonio Cairoli just behind in 3rd. For the opening 15 minutes Coppins and Cairoli battled it out for track position, with Cairoli eventually getting the advantage after Coppins stalled his machine. The Kiwi quickly recovered to ride a fantastic race, crossing the finish line in 3rd position.

A reasonable start in Moto 2 would see the likeable New Zealander head through turn 1 in 6th position, charging as hard as ever. Coppins battled bar to bar with Belgian, Clement Desalle and fellow Yamaha Monster Energy team-mate, Philippaerts, with the trio jockeying for track position lap after lap. On lap 12 Coppins and Philippaerts collided, leaving Coppins on the deck and dropped down to 7th position by the time he got going again. Coppins set a blazing pace as he fought back hard, re-passing Desalle and closing onto the back wheel of Philippaerts to cross the line in 5th position, only just missing out on an overall podium as he tied points with Philippaerts and Dedycker.

“ There is still something left in this old dog” smiled a content Coppins after the race. “I was happy with my speed in both races but in the final moto I proved that I still have it in me. I passed Desalle on the last lap, and I’m sure with some more time I would have had Philippaerts. I feel like I have discovered a new fight in me and look forward to the upcoming races to mix it up in the championship”

Coppins will head to Kegums in Latvia which will welcome the GP tour next weekend.

Race results:

MX1 Race 1

1 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
2 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha
3 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
4 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
5 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda
6 Leok, Tanel EST Yamaha
7 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki
8 Vuillemin, David FRA Kawasaki
9 Pichon, Mickael FRA Honda
10 Aranda, Gregory FRA Kawasaki
11 Priem, Manuel BEL Aprilia
12 Leok, Aigar EST TM
13 Church, Tom GBR CCM
14 Richier, Florent FRA Kawasaki
15 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki

MX1 Race 2
1 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha
2 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki
3 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
4 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
5 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
6 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda
7 Leok, Tanel EST Yamaha
8 Pichon, Mickael FRA Honda
9 Leok, Aigar EST TM
10 Bill, Julien SUI Aprilia
11 Leonce, Loic FRA Aprilia
12 Nemeth, Kornel HUN KTM
13 Priem, Manuel BEL Aprilia
14 Vuillemin, David FRA Kawasaki
15 Church, Tom GBR CCM

MX1 GP Overall:
1 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha 47
2 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM 45
3 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki 36
4 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha 36
5 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha 36
6 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda 31
7 Leok, Tanel EST Yamaha 29
8 Pichon, Mickael FRA Honda 25
9 Leok, Aigar EST TM 21
10 Vuillemin, David FRA Kawasaki 20
11 Priem, Manuel BEL Aprilia 18
12 Bill, Julien SUI Aprilia 15
13 Leonce, Loic FRA Aprilia 15
14 Church, Tom GBR CCM 14
15 Aranda, Gregory FRA Kawasaki 11

MX1 World championship standings:
1 Cairoli, A. ITA 338
2 Philippaerts, D. ITA 297
3 Nagl, M. GER 293
4 Coppins, J. NZL 274
5 Desalle, C. BEL 268
6 de Dycker, Ken BEL 264
7 Leok, Tanel EST 252
8 Barragan, J. ESP 215
9 Leok, Aigar EST 139
10 Vuillemin, D. FRA 137
11 Swanepoel, G. RSA 130
12 Mackenzie, B. GBR 103
13 Ramon, Steve BEL 100
14 Priem, Manuel BEL 95
15 Aranda, G. FRA 91