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Motocross ace Josh Coppins has qualified in eighth spot for tomorrow’s Australian Grand Prix, expressing disappointment a heavy track prevented him going faster.
The expat Kiwi from the top-rated Suzuki Corona team set his quick time in Friday afternoon’s first session. Massive watering overnight slowed the circuit at Broadford north of Melbourne and the riders could not improve times this morning.
“I took a fairly conservative approach yesterday but this morning I was going a lot harder.
“The track is completely different though, and it’s changing every lap, so I was as much as six seconds a lap slower.”
However the Motueka-born 24-year-old is happy with his form for tomorrow’s third round of the 250 world championship in which he finished fourth last year.
“It’s really just a matter of being in the top 15 or 20 here, the start gate is good and wide and we all have a good run at the first corner,” said the reputed fast starter.
Coppins’ works Suzuki RM is well suited to the flowing hillside circuit, with Oamaru-born technician Blair Selfe honing it for a fast but rugged race tomorrow.
Alongside them in the factory squad, teammate Mickael Pichon grabbed pole position to continue his domination of the first two rounds of the title chase, the Frenchman out to avenge his runner-up spot overall last year.
German Pit Beirer, who just pipped Coppins in the championship last year, filled second spot ahead of inconsistent Frenchman Yves de Maria and Italy’s Claudio Federici.
Reigning back-to-back champion Fred Bolley struggled with the track and filled a lowly 18th qualifying spot.
Hundreds of Kiwis who crossed the Tasman to see Coppins and the world\'s other top motocross riders race in the southern hemisphere for the only time this year have been greeted by hot sunny weather among the gum trees of Broadford.
Points standings, World 250 Championship, after two of 15 rounds: Pichon 50 points, Gordon Crockard (UK, Honda) 29, Beirer (Yamaha) 28, Coppins 26, Paul Cooper (UK, Yamaha) 24.
