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Contributed by: Ian Miles
Honda motocross ace Josh Coppins has blasted to third spot in the Grand Prix of Austria, his fourth podium in as many events.
The glamour position with its spray of champagne strengthens his hold on second place in the world 250 championship after six of 12 rounds.
Second fastest in qualifying times, Coppins led the race early then provided the dice of the day contesting second with Irishman Gordon Crockard.
Meanwhile reigning champion Mickael Pichon raced away with the victory, making it five from six this season.
“I didn’t think I was right at my best today,” said Coppins, the 25-year-old star of the Vismara Honda team. “I was happy with my start but I didn’t quite get into a rhythm … the track has many bumps right after the turns and it was hard to be smooth. “Towards the end I was closing on Gordon and I thought I might grab second, but it was very difficult to find a place to pass,” the expat Kiwi said. “At the end I’m very happy to have the points and the championship placing.”
On 116 points, the Motueka-born pro racer is now eight clear of his teammate from the Italian Berni squad, Pit Beirer of Germany who was a distant fourth today.
With Crockard previously well behind in the points standings, the Honda pair have extended the gap over the chasers, the best of whom struggled into the minor money today.
On the technically difficult Karntenring circuit at St Viet outside Klagenfurt in the south of Austria, Coppins again demonstrated that he is the only rider who can keep the pressure on Pichon for the world title.
The pair were teammates last year at Suzuki, Coppins handicapped by technical problems and slumping to sixth in the championship after he was tipped for a top-three position.
“I’m really enjoying being back around the lead, it forces you to focus really hard on your riding and preparation,\" Coppins said.
[Kiwis, Mason Philips [Honda] and Darryl Atkins [MJ Church Kawasaki] have been credited with 24th and 27th place respectively. Can anyone provide me with info on Mason Philips? Bill W.]
KTM star Ben Townley races in the 125 Grand Prix this afternoon local time.
The next round is in Bulgaria in a fortnight.
Points after six of 12 rounds:
World 250 championship:
1 Mickael Pichon (France) Suzuki, 138 points; 2 Josh Coppins (NZ) Vismara Honda 116; 3 Pit Beirer (Germany) Vismara Honda, 108; 4 Kenneth Gundersen (Norway) Kawasaki 93; 5 4 Fred Bolley (France) Yamaha 83; 6 Jamie Dobb (England) KTM 82.
