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Motocross ace Josh Coppins has qualified fifth for tomorrow’s German Grand Prix, grabbing a premium starting position as he seeks to continue his climb in the title rankings.
The expat Kiwi star of the Suzuki Corona team set an early pace at this 6th of 14 rounds, flying high off jumps on his RM250.
“I’m happy with how it went,” said the 24-year-old from Motueka. “The bike is sweet and I always like this circuit.
“I was one of the two or three quickest at the start of the qual, then I just played it safe and started to concentrate on tomorrow’s race.
“A couple of guys then went under my time but that’s cool … it’s the GP itself that counts.”
Reigning two-time world champion Fred Bolley of France bounced back from a horror start to the season to blitz pole position.
The Honda rider shut out Coppins’ French teammate Mickael Pichon who holds a commanding points lead in the 2001 title chase.
Meanwhile Coppins’ young protégé Ben Townley broke a dream run, failing to qualify for the German event after flying into the previous five grands prix.
“I had a small tumble on a downhill bend and by the time I picked the bike up it was all over,” said the 16-year-old from Taupo.
“I was less than a second off the pace in the last-chance qualifier but it looks like I’m sitting this one out.”
In glorious sunshine at Teutschenthal near Halle in the old East Germany, the crowd at the Talkessel circuit is ready to party with a fairground’s big wheel providing a backdrop to a planned all-night celebration.
The grand prix races are held tomorrow afternoon European time.
