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Coppins on the podium in demanding conditions.
The GP of Gaildorf has not been so favourable for CAS Honda star, Josh Coppins. The New Zealander battled to find his true speed in the tough and muddy conditions and had to forfeit valuable points in his challenge for the MX1 title.
Coppins looked to have the hole-shot going into the first turn and had the advantage of clear vision but a corner later the CAS Honda rider got stuck in a deep rut and lost his lead. Coppins managed to free his bike and get going but was seven positions down the field with a whole lot of work ahead of him. He was among many riders to taste the Gaildorf mud and after the kiwi had fallen for the second time he managed to settle into his own rhythm and claw back his lost positions to salvage fifth place by the end of the race.
Coppins would have a great start in the second heat as well but was forced aside by Stefan Everts who took command of the lead. ‘Lizzard’ was trying to find his rythym in the opening laps and settled in fourth place behind Tanel Leok. For twenty-five gruelling minutes he hounded the Estonian but with three laps to go mayhem broke loose up front. Everts and Pichon both fumbled however the Belgian managed to regain his lead which left Leok in second and Coppins in third. Coppins tried all could to pass the Estonian but had to settle for third and third overall for the GP.
“ I had two good starts from the eighth gate so I was really pleased with that. The first heat was really tough for me – I got stuck two times and crashed two times but I still managed to come back to fifth but I was not riding good. My bike was working really well on the starts today and the second heat was much better for me. I rode a lot more relaxed in the second moto but I was quite tired at the end of the race,” explained Coppins.
Results MX1
