    |
 |
|
|
|
Photo - Josh in SA.
This report is from Josh Coppins manager, Glen Dempsey.
Visit Josh @ his Website: Josh Coppins.com:
It features the Kiwi`s latest news, pictures, profile, wallpapers, etc.
It has taken nineteen years for the MX GP series to return to Sunny South Africa and New Zealander, Josh Coppins has stepped onto the podium and closed off his 2004 GP season with his second career race win.
Most definitely the hole-shot king of the MX1 class, Coppins lead the pack into the first turn in race one. His lead was short lived as Pichon and Everts slipped by but Coppins was not going to force the pace and make any mistakes so he settled in third position to ride his own race. The Kiwi never took any risks that could potentially aggravate a shoulder injury picked up while practicing in his home base Belgium a week before so the CAS Honda rider cruised home for a safe third position.
It was Coppins’ Japanese team mate Yoshi Atsuta who grabbed the hole-shot in the second race but South African hero Greg Albertijn soon moved to the front. Lizzard shot past his team mate on lap four, placing him behind Albertijn who had lost his lead to Pichon. Coppins battled with the South African for a good three laps much to the delight of the twenty thousand strong crowd. The Kiwi made his move and was up into second when Pichon went missing and the number thirty-one CAS Honda was now in the lead and virtual GP winner. Coppins upped his pace and looked set on pocketing his second ever GP win. With ten minutes to go, all that would keep Coppins from certain overall victory was if Pichon could reel in and pass Belgian, Steve Ramon. Ramon put up no fight and handed Pichon second place. Coppins rode an awesome race and won his second ever GP race but unfortunately missed out on the overall.
“It was an awesome race and good for everybody to watch. I was happy with the way I rode and tried to maintain my speed and find good lines and I kept watching the pitboard for my laptimes. The highlight of my weekend was racing with Greg Albertijn – he was my hero when I arrived in Europe and it was a great honour to race with him today.” said Coppins.
MX1 points standings 2004.
1. Everts Stefan, BEL, Yamaha, 688
2. Pichon Michaël, FRA, Honda, 620
3. Coppins Joshua, NZL, Honda, 564
4. Ramon Steve, BEL, KTM, 475
5. Strijbos Kevin, BEL, Suzuki, 457
6. Leok Tanel, EST, Suzuki, 356
7. Melotte Cedric, BEL, Yamaha, 345
8. Jorgensen Brian, DEN, Honda, 294
9. De Dijcker Ken, BEL, Honda, 259
10. Atsuta Yoshitaka, JPN, Honda, 224
Read MORE:
