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From - Ian Miles:
KIWI COPPINS SECOND IN MOTOCROSS:
Motocross star Josh Coppins is world runner-up in the glamour 250 class.
The Kiwi-born international sealed the spot for Honda with a dramatic second place at today's final grand prix of the year in Russia.
Dicing with eventual victor Mickael Pichon, the controversial Frenchman who had already clinched his second straight title, 25-year-old Coppins was taken down over a jump.
"I wrecked part of the brakes and it gave me trouble throughout the second half of the race," said the expat New Zealander. "Fortunately by this stage we had such a lead that my second place was safe enough. "I'm absolutely stoked . second place in the world, that's the highest I've ever finished. From here there's only one more step."
Coppins announced on the victory podium that he will be joining the respected UK team CAS Honda next year to carry the number 2 plate in a revamped class which will pit the 250 two-strokes against 450 four-strokes.
"I'm delighted with the help and support I've already been receiving from Honda in the UK and from Harry Ainsworth and his CAS team," said Coppins, whose season was set back when the Italian Vismara team of Fabrizio Berni collaped financially underneath him this year.
At the same time the Motueka-born pro racer found himself on a doping charge after taking the wrong hay fever tablet. Found innocent, he was nonetheless docked his 20 points from the Austrian Grand Prix.
But that was swept aside as the much-admired Coppins piled on another 22 points today to finish with 222, a full 17 points ahead of his former Honda teammate Pit Beirer of Germany who managed fifth spot at this demanding Yakhroma track.
Coppins stood on the podium at all but three of the season's 12 GP races and proved himself the only rider who could keep Pichon's Suzuki in sight.
The Kiwi jumped from pole position today and led the first laps until the fiery Frenchman pulled past.
By mid-point Coppins on the bright red Honda had hauled him in and the pair clashed in midair as Pichon went to re-pass.
Honda fans held their breath as their man picked up the CR250R racebike and kicked it back into life.
But Coppins still held a commanding gap over Kenneth Gundersen's Kawasaki and the KTM of Jamie Dobb (England): this pair finished third and fourth in the race, fifth and fourth respectively in the championship.
Official standings are unlikely to be confirmed until tomorrow because of major telecoms access problems at the Park Extreme Circuit on the outskirts of Moscow.
Meanwhile Coppins' young protégé Ben Townley rides the 125 Grand Prix this afternoon local time, all but assured of a high-flying sixth spot in the championship.
Yesterday the Taupo 17-year-old shrugged off a training injury and the memory of three consecutive crash-marred races to grab fifth fastest spot in the class.
Unofficial final World 250 Championship points: 1 Mickael Pichon (France) Suzuki 288; 2 Josh Coppins (NZ) Honda 222; 3 Pit Beirer (Germany) Honda 205; 4 Jamie Dobb (England) KTM 177; 5 Kenneth Gundersen (Norway) Kawasaki 167.
All the 2s:
Coppins finished 2nd today for 22 points, season total 222 and 2nd in the
world.
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Kiwi Daryl Atkins finished 19th, scoring 2 points.
