    |
 |
|
|
|
Motocross star Josh Coppins is hot in France.
The expat Kiwi has flashed to a comfortable fourth fastest spot in qualifying for tomorrow’s French Grand Prix at St Jean d’Angely north of Bordeaux.
As the sun steamed away yesterday’s rain, Coppins steamed his Vismara Honda away from a classy world championship 250 field.
The 25-year-old and his German teammate Pit Beirer gate-crashed the party of home nation favourites, world champion Mickael Pichon (Suzuki) and former champ Fred Bolley (Yamaha).
The pair from Vismara’s Berni Honda squad in Italy were the only riders to stay with the darlings of a sizeable crowd as lap times tumbled during a torrid half-hour session.
“The track was changing fast as it dried and a lot of rocks came up,” said Coppins.
“It was slippery and quite tricky to ride.
“Just the same I was really enjoying it out there and I was getting quicker all the time … I’m sure I could have gone faster if there had been more time.”
The placing, giving the man from Motueka fourth pick of start gate positions, bodes well for his world title hopes in the glamour quarter-litre class.
After three of 12 events Coppins is in third place and within close striking distance: his 54 points is just nine off Pichon’s lead and a mere couple from the last GP winner Kenneth Gundersen (Norway) who qualified one place behind Coppins on his Kawasaki.
“We’re getting into the heart of the season now,” said Coppins, veteran of eight years on the championship trail.
“The points we pile up now will make the difference at the end.
“The pressure is on Pichon and Bolley in from of their home crowd tomorrow, especially after they took each other out on the first corner last GP.”
Meanwhile 17-year-old Ben Townley clocked seventh fastest time in the 125 class.
Currently second equal in the championship standings, the KTM rider was automatically qualified for this grand prix and faced just a timed practice session.
“It didn’t go as well as I would have liked,” said the Taupo-born rider from the Big Five Vangani KTM team.
“The track was drying and changing and I struggled a bit to come to grips with these tight uphills.”
The sensation of the season so far, Townley is expected to be a threat to home favourite and championship leader Mickael Maschio tomorrow.
Townley has also to worry about the attentions of fellow KTM rider Patrick Caps of Belgium who won the last round and now shares 54 points with the young star.
Like Coppins they find themselves just nine points off the lead.
Coppins races at 11am local time tomorrow and Townley four hours later.
Points after three of 12 rounds:
World 250 championship: 1 Mickael Pichon (France) Suzuki, 63 points; 2 Kenneth Gundersen (Norway) Kawasaki, 56; 3 Josh Coppins (NZ) Vismara Honda 54; 4 Pit Beirer (Germany) Vismara Honda, 52; 5 Fred Bolley (France) Yamaha, 47; 6 Jussi Vehvilainen (Finland) Honda, 45; 7 Paul Cooper (UK) Honda, 44; 8 Chicco Chiodi (Italy) Yamaha, 40.
Constructors: Suzuki 63, Honda 58, Kawasaki 56, Yamaha 56, KTM 43, TM 28, Husqvarna 20.
World 125 championship: 1 Mickael Maschio (France) Kawasaki, 63 points; 2 Ben Townley (NZ) Big Five Vangani KTM and Patrick Caps (Belgium) KTM, 54; 4 Erik Eggens (Netherlands) KTM, 51; 5 Philippe Dupasquier (Switzerland) KTM, 49; 6 Alex Puzar (Italy) Husqvarna, 44; 7 Steve Ramon (Belgium) KTM 38; 8Tyla Rattray (South Africa) Big Five Vangani KTM, 36.
Constructors: KTM 72, Kawasaki 63, Husqvarna 44, Yamaha 41, Honda 21, Suzuki 15.
