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COPPINS MISSES GRAND PRIX
Motocross ace Josh Coppins has been ruled out of this weekend\'s Grand Prix
of Austria.
A last-minute medical opinion on a minor leg infection sees the star of the
UK\'s CAS Honda team miss yet another race as he struggles back from earlier
injuries.
Coppins, runner-up in the world\'s premier class last year, was absent from
the first three rounds this season after breaking his back, both feet and
an ankle in a January crash.
\"This latest problem is probably a flow-on from the initial injuries,\"
commented the 26-year-old Coppins, New Zealand\'s top motorcycle racer.
\"I rode the Italian and Bulgarian rounds over the past month and my leg
held up well, brilliantly considering the injuries, but it was enough to
cause an infection around my knee.
\"We\'ve been treating it since the last race a fortnight ago and during the
week I was given the clearance to ride,\" commented the rider they call
Lizzard. \"But a last-minute check showed there\'s still some infection
deep-seated.
\"I could probably ride this weekend but the doctors say that could trigger
ongoing problems, which I certainly don\'t need.
\"What I must have right now is a clean bill of health and a clear run at
championship points. So it \'s wiser to sit out this weekend and come back
fully fit.\"
Coppins hopes to ride the factory-prepared Honda CR250R at a round of the
British championship next weekend at the Isle of Wight, in preparation for
round seven of the world champs in Sweden a week later.
For his CAS Honda squad there is some good news: fellow top rider from the
Motocross GP class Gordon Crockard of Ireland has been cleared of a finger
injury.
Crockard will take the Karntenring track in south-east Austria on his
CRF450R, alongside teammate Yoshi Atsuta (Japan) on an identical
four-stroke bike.
This is half-way point in the world championship which continues around
Europe until September.
Ian Miles
Josh\'s Manager
