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Mid-point in the World Motocross Championships is reached at this weekend’s Grand Prix of Austria, with Kiwis Josh Coppins and Ben Townley pressing for top positions.
Traditionally the sixth of 12 rounds provides a viewing platform for the shape of the title and this year it\'s the grass-covered Karntenring circuit at St Veit in the south of the alpine nation which hosts the event.
Going to Austria, Honda star Josh Coppins is a solid second in the glamour 250 class and looking to apply the pressure to reigning champion Mickael Pichon of France.
The pair were team mates at Suzuki last year when Pichon ran away to total domination of the class the manufacturers most want to win. Pichon stormed the Austrian GP along the way.
But revitalised this year by the Italian-based Vismara Honda of Fabrizio Berni, Coppins has grabbed the attention of the crowds as he flew his CR250R onto the podium at the past three events.
The New Zealand ace now has 96 points, just 17 behind Pichon.
“I’d like to win a grand prix soon, real soon, just to remind Pichon and the others that I’m here and ready to pounce on any mistake,” said the 25-year-old pro racer. “Austria is a good track, a bit like the tracks in New Zealand, and I think I can do well this weekend. “For all of us it’s important that Mickael doesn’t get away like he did last year … and for me I need to build up a buffer over the other guys.”
Ironically Coppins again finds himself facing a threat from a team mate: German Pit Beirer, longtime rival who narrowly pipped Coppins for overall places in the championship the past two seasons, is just six points behind. “Pit has adapted to the Honda really well, as I have,” said the Motueka-born expat Kiwi. “This weekend Pit’s also riding the 500 class on a CR450F, so he’ll be very busy.”
The trio of Pichon, Coppins and Beirer were also the podium finishers at the last grand prix, in Italy, but they can’t claim to have things to themselves.
Two-time world champion Fred Bolley of France has shown enough pace on his Yamaha to be among the favourites at any event, while current 125 champ Jamie Dobb (England) regularly runs near the front but seems destined for a disaster-prone season.
Dobb’s Irish teammate at KTM Gordon Crockard was third in the world last year and must be due to return to form.
At Kawasaki, Norwegian Kenneth Gundersen is the only rider besides Pichon to win a GP this season while his stablemate Andrew McFarlane (Australia) looks to be coming onto the top pace with fourth place last time out.
Meanwhile the 125 class, where Townley burst onto the scene from nowhere this year to foot it with the world’s best, has everyone guessing.
Points leader, established Kawasaki star Mickael Maschio of France dominated the latest round but not before Townley stormed back from heavy injuries to lead the early laps.
The 17-year-old New Zealander settled for second and that, following several top placings this year, should have been enough for the find of the year to perch near the top of the championship ladder.
But one bad result, where he was crashed out by another rider in turn one and scored no points, sees the Taupo tornado in fifth spot.
“It sounds bad but I’m only three points away from third place with more than half the season to go,” said the cool youngster from the Big Five Vangani team.
“The KTM is very strong and I like Karntenring, I had a good ride here last year,” Townley said. “At the beginning of the year, when I was second at the opening grand prix, I was as surprised as anyone. “But now I realise I can compete with these guys and I’m learning what it takes to beat them.”
With last year’s 125 winner Erik Eggens sidelined by injury and its other factory rider Steve Ramon just third on the ladder, KTM is keeping a close eye on the performance of Townley in the satellite Vangani outfit.
The world’s biggest builder of dirt bikes, KTM is based in Austria and has master-minded the promotion of this event.
“KTM has been marvellous to me,” said Townley. “I can think of no better way to repay them than a win at their home GP.”
The riders kickstart a full weekend with a mayoral reception and parade through St Veit on Friday evening. Practice and qualifying are held Saturday.
The third Kiwi campaigning the World GPs, Darryl Atkins, will also be in Austria and you can be sure that he will be doing his very best to qualify on the MJ Church Kawasaki.
Coppins and hopefully Atkins, race at 11am Sunday, Townley four hours later.
The next round is in Bulgaria in a fortnight.
Points after five of 12 rounds:
World 250 championship:
1 Mickael Pichon (France) Suzuki, 113 points; 2 Josh Coppins (NZ) Vismara Honda 96; 3 Pit Beirer (Germany) Vismara Honda, 90; 4 Kenneth Gundersen (Norway) Kawasaki 82; 5 4 Fred Bolley (France) Yamaha 69; 6 Jamie Dobb (England) KTM 66; 7 Jussi Vehvilainen (Finland) Honda, 65.
Constructors:
Suzuki 113, Honda 100, Yamaha 94, Kawasaki 87, KTM 73, TM 37, Husqvarna 20.
World 125 championship:
1 Mickael Maschio (France) Kawasaki, 110 points; 2 Patrick Caps (Belgium) KTM, 94; 3 Steve Ramon (Belgium) KTM 79; 4 Philippe Dupasquier (Switzerland) KTM, 78; 4 63; 5 Ben Townley (NZ) Big Five Vangani KTM 76; 6 Alex Puzar (Italy) Husqvarna, 73; 7 Tyla Rattray (South Africa) Big Five Vangani KTM, 56.
Constructors:
KTM 119, Kawasaki 110, Husqvarna 74, Yamaha 68, Honda 42, Suzuki 25.
