Josh Coppins looks to be back on form as he powered his Monster Energy Yamaha through the Kegums sand to take 3rd overall in the first ever Latvian Motocross Grand Prix this weekend. After putting on an invigorating display last week in the German GP, to tie for 3rd place, ‘Lizzard’ arrived in Latvia this weekend self-assured of getting up on the podium.

In Saturday’s short qualifying race, Coppins got a reasonable jump out the gate, heading through the first turn just inside the top 10. With the top 5 riders all still within striking distance of this year’s MX1 championship everyone was pushing as hard as possible to get the best possible gate pick for the two Sunday GP races. Racing hard through the pack Coppins clawed his way into 6th place, securing a good starting position for Sunday.

As the gate dropped for the first moto on Sunday the crowd watched in awe as the MX1 ‘field of stars’ launched themselves into the first corner. It was de Dycker who got the early advantage, with Nagl right on him. Coppins at this point was in 7th position fighting hard for track position with World Championship leader Cairoli. By lap 4 the determined Kiwi had managed to get up into 5th place, before losing the battle to Cairoli and dropping back into 6th. The next person in the ‘crosshairs’ was team mate Philippaerts, Coppins wasted no time in hunting him down and eventually getting past. ‘Lizzard’ continued his forward momentum to the very end, crossing the chequered flag in 4th position.

With the track getting really rough throughout the day and the temperature rising, race 2 was going to be a show of strength, and an ultra-fit Coppins knew these conditions would give him the upper hand on many of the riders. With a slightly better start this time, Coppins rounded up the opening lap in 5th position, as he settled into a good rhythm. On lap 5 ‘Lizzard’ started to turn up the pressure on the other riders, at a point where all except Cairoli looked to be tiring. Coppins looked fresh as he closed down and passed the competition one by one. By lap 14 Coppins closed in on Desalle and made the pass for 3rd, then just one lap later did the same to de Dycker to take over 2nd position and put himself on the podium for the Latvian GP.

“ I enjoyed racing here in Latvia today” smiled Coppins. “My goal was to improve from Teutschenthal last weekend and I managed to do that today. I’m feeling strong and I know I have it in me to end off the championship with a fight. There are some tough tracks coming up which are going to sort the men from the boys – we saw it today as well. I’m looking forward to Sweden as well. I have one there before and will be focusing on a podium spot once again.”

Next weekend Josh Coppins and the Yamaha Monster Energy Team head to Sweden for Round 11 of the 15 round MX1 World Championship.

Race results:
MX1 Race 1
1 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda
2 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha
3 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
4 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
5 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
6 Leok, Aigar EST TM
7 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki
8 Aranda, Gregory FRA Kawasaki
9 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki
10 Campano, Carlos ESP Yamaha
11 Priem, Manuel BEL Aprilia
12 Church, Tom GBR CCM
13 Carlsson, Johan SWE Suzuki
14 Steinbergs, Ivo LAT Honda
15 Terreblanche, Shannon RSA Kawasaki

Mx1 Race 2
1 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha
2 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
3 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki
4 Leok, Tanel EST Yamaha
5 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda
6 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
7 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
8 Leok, Aigar EST TM
9 Priem, Manuel BEL Aprilia
10 Campano, Carlos ESP Yamaha
11 Dougan, Jason GBR CCM
12 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki
13 Mackenzie, Bryan GBR Honda
14 Freibergs, Lauris LAT Yamaha
15 Leonce, Loic FRA Aprilia

MX1 GP Overall:
1 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha 47
2 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda 41
3 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha 40
4 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM 35
5 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki 34
6 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha 30
7 Leok, Aigar EST TM 28
8 Priem, Manuel BEL Aprilia 22
9 Campano, Carlos ESP Yamaha 22
10 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki 21
11 Leok, Tanel EST Yamaha 18
12 Church, Tom GBR CCM 13
13 Aranda, Gregory FRA Kawasaki 13
14 Freibergs, Lauris LAT Yamaha 12
15 Dougan, Jason GBR CCM 10

Mx1 World Championship standings:
1 Cairoli, A. ITA 385
2 Nagl, M. GER 328
3 Philippaerts, D. ITA 327
4 Coppins, J. NZL 314
5 Desalle, C. BEL 309
6 de Dycker, Ken BEL 298
7 Leok, Tanel EST 270
8 Barragan, J. ESP 215
9 Leok, Aigar EST 167
10 Swanepoel, G. RSA 151
11 Vuillemin, D. FRA 137
12 Priem, Manuel BEL 117
13 Aranda, G. FRA 104
14 Mackenzie, B. GBR 103
15 Ramon, Steve BEL 100