Coppins on the podium in demanding conditions.

The GP of Gaildorf has not been so favourable for CAS Honda star, Josh Coppins. The New Zealander battled to find his true speed in the tough and muddy conditions and had to forfeit valuable points in his challenge for the MX1 title.

Coppins looked to have the hole-shot going into the first turn and had the advantage of clear vision but a corner later the CAS Honda rider got stuck in a deep rut and lost his lead. Coppins managed to free his bike and get going but was seven positions down the field with a whole lot of work ahead of him. He was among many riders to taste the Gaildorf mud and after the kiwi had fallen for the second time he managed to settle into his own rhythm and claw back his lost positions to salvage fifth place by the end of the race.

Coppins would have a great start in the second heat as well but was forced aside by Stefan Everts who took command of the lead. ‘Lizzard’ was trying to find his rythym in the opening laps and settled in fourth place behind Tanel Leok. For twenty-five gruelling minutes he hounded the Estonian but with three laps to go mayhem broke loose up front. Everts and Pichon both fumbled however the Belgian managed to regain his lead which left Leok in second and Coppins in third. Coppins tried all could to pass the Estonian but had to settle for third and third overall for the GP.

“ I had two good starts from the eighth gate so I was really pleased with that. The first heat was really tough for me – I got stuck two times and crashed two times but I still managed to come back to fifth but I was not riding good. My bike was working really well on the starts today and the second heat was much better for me. I rode a lot more relaxed in the second moto but I was quite tired at the end of the race,” explained Coppins.


Results MX1

Race 1

1 Everts Stefan, Bel, Yamaha, 41:06.113
2 Ramon Steve, Bel, Ktm, 41:31.165
3 Townley Ben, Nzl, Ktm, 41:49.476
4 Pichon Mickael, Fra, Honda, 42:21.159
5 Coppins Joshua, Nzl, Honda, 42:31.477
6 Seguy Luigi, Fra, Yamaha, 42:41.742
7 Gundersen Kenneth , Nor, Ktm, 42:44.087
8 Leok Tanel, Est, Kawasaki, 42:45.994
9 Strijbos Kevin, Bel, Suzuki, 42:46.992
10 De Dijcker Ken, Bel, Honda, 42:54.864
11 Barragan Jonathan, Spa, Ktm, 42:59.649
12 Noble James, Gbr, Honda, 43:16.464
13 Hucklebridge Mark , Gbr, Honda, 41:14.784
14 Freibergs Lauris, Lat, Suzuki, 41:16.626
15 Pyrhonen Antti , Fin, Tm, 42:28.565

Race 2

1 Everts Stefan, Bel, Yamaha, 40:33.002
2 Leok Tanel, Est, Kawasaki, 40:39.452
3 Coppins Joshua, Nzl, Honda, 40:40.219
4 Pichon Mickael, Fra, Honda, 40:49.482
5 Ramon Steve, Bel, Ktm, 40:55.313
6 Barragan Jonathan, Spa, Ktm, 40:59.867
7 Townley Ben, Nzl, Ktm, 41:21.769
8 Noble James, Gbr, Honda, 41:55.433
9 De Dijcker Ken, Bel, Honda, 42:01.527
10 Leuret Pascal, Fra, Honda, 42:05.425
11 Jorgensen Brian, Den, Yamaha, 42:07.742
12 Dobes Josef, Cze, Kawasaki, 42:29.171
13 Freibergs Lauris, Lat, Suzuki, 42:39.743
14 Crockard Gordon, Irl, Yamaha, 42:43.277
15 Pyrhonen Antti , Fin, Tm, 40:54.094
16 Cooper Paul, Gbr, Honda, 41:24.970

MX1 Championship standings

1 Everts Stefan, Bel, Yamaha, 589 points
2 Coppins Joshua, Nzl, Honda, 536 points
3 Townley Ben, Nzl, Ktm, 460 points
4 Pichon Mickael, Fra, Honda, 404 points
5 Smets Joel, Bel, Suzuki, 385 points
6 Ramon Steve, Bel, Ktm, 380 points
7 Leuret Pascal, Fra, Honda, 278 points
8 De Dijcker Ken, Bel, Honda, 268 points
9 Leok Tanel, Est, Kawasaki, 254 points
10 Noble James, Gbr, Honda, 252 points
11 Jorgensen Brian, Den, Yamaha, 234 points
12 Barragan Jonathan, Spa, Ktm, 228 points
13 Theybers Danny, Bel, Suzuki, 226 points
14 Atsuta Yoshitaka, Jpn, Suzuki, 185 points
15 Pyrhonen Antti, Fin, Tm, 168 points