Unfavourable weather conditions have turned the famous Citadelle circuit in Namen into a mud bath for the fourth round of the MX1 world championship series. For CAS Honda man, Josh Coppins, it was a matter of survival. The Kiwi posted two consistent 6 place finishes however he had set his sights on victory - something that just eluded him last year.
Coppins missed out on his usual hole-shot and had to fight his way into the top ten as the race got underway. Passing was difficult in the mud however he managed to slip by a few riders and halfway through the race Lizzard also got by Townley. Coppins could just not manage to reel in Smets and had to be content with sixth spot.
Knowing the start would be a deciding factor, Coppins could not capitalise on it and was once again fighting for a position inside the top ten. He managed to salvage a few place and once again came home in sixth, surviving the treacherous Namur circuit.
“ I didn’t get the starts I wanted. The track was really difficult and I knew it was going to be hard to pass but I just had to make the most of the situation. I’m happy about racing in Germany next week – at least it will be easier to pass and it won’t depend on where you start the race,” explained Coppins.
Results MX1 Race 1
1, Jorgensen Brian, Den, Yamaha, 43:24.899
2, Everts Stefan, Bel, Yamaha, 43:37.808
3, Van Daele Marvin, Bel, Honda, 43:39.877
4, Pichon Mickael, Fra, Honda, 43:41.455
5, Smets Joël, Bel, Suzuki, 43:44.216
6, Coppins Joshua, Nzl, Honda, 43:46.888
7, Townley Ben, Nzl, Ktm, 43:47.414
8, Noble James, Gbr, Honda, 44:04.080
9, Ramon Steve, Bel, Ktm, 44:05.747
10, Leok Tanel, Est, Kawasaki, 44:44.138
11, Vehvilaïnen Jussi, Fin, Honda, 44:48.453
12, Cooper Paul, Gbr, Honda, 44:50.344
13, Pyrhonen Antti, Fin, Tm, 44:50.889
14, Nemeth Kornel, Hun, Suzuki, 44:51.650
15, De Dycker Ken, Bel, Honda, 44:52.602
16, Leuret Pascal, Fra, Honda, 45:35.092
Results MX1 Race 2
1, Everts Stefan, Bel, Yamaha, 43:04.440
2, Townley Ben, Nzl, Ktm, 43:06.450
3, Smets Joël, Bel, Suzuki, 43:48.817
4, Pichon Mickael, Fra, Honda, 43:53.926
5, Jorgensen Brian, Den, Yamaha, 44:15.790
6, Coppins Joshua, Nzl, Honda, 44:24.832
7, Meo Antoine, Fra, Husqvarna, 44:31.811
8, Ramon Steve, Bel, Ktm, 44:41.227
9, Leok Tanel, Est, Kawasaki, 44:45.707
10, Van Daele Marvin, Bel, Honda, 44:51.525
11, De Dycker Ken, Bel, Honda, 45:10.354
12, Theybers Danny, Bel, Suzuki, 45:11.978
13, Noble James, Gbr, Honda, 45:23.887
14, Leuret Pascal, Fra, Honda, 45:26.161
15, Atsuta Yoshitaka, Jpn, Suzuki, 45:30.525
World Championship classification
1 Everts Stefan, Bel, Yamaha, 172 points
2 Pichon Mickael, Fra, Honda, 145 points
3 Smets Joel, Bel, Suzuki, 132 points
4 Coppins Joshua, Nzl, Honda, 131 points
5 Townley Ben, Nzl, Ktm, 121 points
6 Ramon Steve, Bel, Ktm, 100 points
7 Cooper Paul, Gbr, Honda, 79 points
8 Noble James, Gbr, Honda, 76 points
9 Jorgensen Brian, Den, Yamaha, 75 points
10 De Dijcker Ken, Bel, Honda 70 points