    |
 |
|
|
|
From Ian Miles
Motocross ace Josh Coppins has qualified sixth fastest for tomorrow’s Grand Prix of Lierop in The Netherlands.
It’s a big showing for the New Zealand expat on the bounce-back from serious injury.
The deep Dutch sand tested the best today as they swapped hotlap times for tomorrow’s round nine of the world championships.
The three world champions slogging out the 2003 world crown in Motocross GP, the world’s premier class, topped the leaderboard today: Belgian Joel Smets showing the way to countryman Stefan Everts and Mickael Pichon (France).
Coppins has vowed to be back duelling with the leaders before the season ends next month.
Runner-up in the world’s premier class last year, the 26-year-old pro racer finds himself in the uncomfortable position of 18th this season having missed half of the rounds following surgery to his spine, both feet and an ankle.
But Coppins, star of the British-based CAS Honda team, showed he is on the way back with a competitive time today.
Championship points after eight of 12 rounds:
1 Stefan Everts (Belgium) Yamaha 175; 2 Mickael Pichon (France) Suzuki 173 points; 3 Joel Smets (Belgium) KTM 168; 4 Brian Jorgensen (Denmark) Honda 112, 5 Claudio Federici (Italy) Yamaha 95; 6 Andrew McFarlane (Australia) Kawasaki 94; 7 Kenneth Gundersen (Norway) Kawasaki 93; 8 Yoshitaka Atsuta (Japan) CAS Honda 80; 9 Gordon Crockard (Ireland) CAS Honda 78; 10 Marnicq Bervoets (Belgium) Yamaha 78. 18 Josh Coppins (New Zealand) CAS Honda 33.
