Josh this year?

[denill]

Date: 15 February 2009
Press Release:

Coppins sets the pace in Montevarchi

The first round of the Italian Motocross championship has seen Yamaha Monster Energy rider, Josh Coppins , set the pace under perfect track conditions at the former GP circuit of Montevarchi.

Coppins set fastest lap time in his qualifying group A, matching the pole position of fellow Yamaha Monster Energy team-mate David Philippaerts in group B with both factory riders having top picks of the start gate for the first moto.

Blasting out of the gate, Coppins was placed 3rd on the opening lap behind fast starters Krestinov and Philippaerts. He made short work of the Estonian and then set his sights on the reigning MX1 world champ. Coppins made a move on lap 5 and took the lead from Philippaerts. An exciting race between the two rivals was ended prematurely when Coppins was forced to retire with a technical problem, handing the win to Philippaerts.

Determined to make up for the first moto loss, Coppins grabbed the hole-shot and never looked back in moto 2. He set the best lap of the race and won with almost 30 seconds advantage over second place finisher Tanel Leok.

“I was really pleased with my riding today and am happy with the progress we are making with the bike.” commented the New Zealander. “These races are ideal for refining the bike setup and the second moto proved that I’m on track with my speed and fitness. We have been really lucky with the weather here in Italy and I have had the ideal preparation for the GP’s. There are still a few more internationals to get out of the way first but I’m really looking forward to the first GP in Faenza .”

“Lizzard” will head to France next weekend for the Valence MX international where he has won the last two consecutive editions and will be looking to pull off a hat-trick. If Coppins succeeds he will be the first rider in the history of the event to do so.

Race results:

MX1 Race 1

1 PHILIPPAERTS ITA

2 CAIROLI ITA

3 LEOK EST

4 SWANEPOEL RSA

5 PRIEM BEL

6 KRESTINOV EST

7 THAIN FRA

8 BILL SUI

9 MARTIN FRA

10 COMPAGNONE ITA

DNF COPPINS NZL

MX1 Race 2

1 COPPINS NZL

2 LEOK EST

3 PHILIPPAERTS ITA

4 CAIROLI ITA

5 SWANEPOEL RSA

6 BILL SUI

7 VANNI FRA

8 LEONCE FRA

9 DE BORTOLI ITA

10 THAIN FRA

MX1 Overall:

1 PHILIPPAERTS DAVID ITA

2 LEOK TANEL EST

3 CAIROLI ANTONIO ITA

4 BILL JULIEN SUI

5 THAIN RODRIG FRA

6 COPPINS JOSHUA NZL

7 LEONCE LOIC FRA

8 MARTIN CRISTOPHE FRA

9 VANNI JULIEN PAUL FRA

10 COMPAGNONE FELICE ITA

[scott411]

awesome fro Josh, hopefully the Josh from 07 is back in town,

[takitimu]

Looking good, sounds like the Lizard is fit as all hell.

[camchain]

Cheers denill. Bit of a mixed bag results-wise but seems very promising overall. Was worried the determination might not be there, but he's a tough customer alright.

[denill]

Yeah,he's looking good eh. He's on the pace and that's what counts at this stage of the season.

But what is going to count is - NO BAD LUCK. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Cheers
Bill

[camchain]

True. Although it will be less exciting to follow, I'd like to see him build up a big points advantage again. Harder to do that if 'technical' problems robbing valuable points. Stones stuck in brakes aside, most technical probs not due to bad luck but bad prep. Hope it all comes together for him, he will certainly have earned it.

[denill]

Stones stuck in brakes aside, most technical probs not due to bad luck but bad prep.

Yeah, 'Bad luck' is probably not the right term. It's more like 'How the cookie crumbles'. Some things you just can't guard against.

But yes, he is a determined character - who deserves to win in 2009. :2thumbsup

[NordieBoy]

Go The Josh!

[denill]

Date : 22 February 2009

Coppins strong in Valence:

The international motocross season is now firmly underway as we gain momentum towards the first Grand Prix of the season. This weekend the cream of the European Motocross crop headed to yet another cold international, this time in Valence, France. Yamaha Monster Energy racer, Josh Coppins, who has won the last 2 years in a row at the French International, arrived confident after the previous weeks strong form in Italy where he ran away with the second heat.

Sunday morning dawned with ominous dark clouds as the thousands of fans poured onto the hills of the Valence circuit waiting to cheer on the mass of Grand Prix Stars.

As the start gate hit the floor for Heat 1, Coppins launched his YZ450FM towards the first corner alongside team mate Philippaerts. Coppins and Philippaerts put on a great performance as the two Yamaha stars led the entire race. At the chequered flag Josh crossed the line in 2nd position a few seconds adrift of his Italian team-mate.

Heat 2 was to be another strong ride for the Kiwi as once again he was up in the leading group after a good start. This time around, Belgian, Ken De Dyker managed to get himself between the two Yamaha riders with some aggressive passes, which placed Josh in a respectable third position at the end of the race. Only a few seconds separated the top 5 riders for some exciting racing.

For the last race of the day the fans would be treated to the super final, consisting of the day’s best finishing MX1 and MX2 riders. With track conditions now slippery and with a constant drizzle Coppins did not take any risks and safely finished in 5th for 3 strong and consistent placings.

At the end of a hard day’s racing Josh had some time to update us: “I came here today confident in myself - my riding is going well and the bike is working well. I want to keep building on my form and improve the finer details. We still have some time before the the first GP in Italy so I am confident that I am on track.”

Coppins’s next appearance will be round 2 of the Italian championship in Ponte Egola in a fortnight.

Overall results MX1 :

1.Philippaerts 1/1/2

2.De Dycker 4/2/1

3.Coppins 2/3/5

4.Strijbos 3/5/4

5.De Reuver 9/4/3

6.Ramon 7/6/7

7.Bill 6/8/8

8.Vanni 8/7/9

9.Vuillemin 5/10/10

10.Priem 11/13/17

[denill]

And - What Yamaha said:

News 23/02/2009
Champion’s performance by Philippaerts at Valence:

Two weeks after opening their 2009 motocross calendar with a shakedown meeting at the Starcross International at Mantova, the renamed Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross Team accelerated their progress and preparations for the upcoming FIM MX1-GP World Championship – in which they will enter as title holders for the fourth time in five years – by celebrating a double podium appearance at the Valence International in central France yesterday.

World Champion David Philippaerts, fresh from his win last week at the opening round of the Italian Championship at Montevarchi, guided his YZ450FM through cold winds and light rain to record results of 1st, 1st and 2nd in the three French motos and claim the overall top step. Josh Coppins was also looking strong. The Kiwi had took a chequered flag at Montevarchi and collected results of 2nd, 3rd and 5th across a slippery and stony track that offered very few racing lines. The 31 year old took the bottom platform of the podium.

The 2009 version of the YZ450FM was fiery off the line permitting the distinctive black and green colours of the motorcycles to be seen at the very front of the field in all three outings. Although the team use the pre-season international events as viable testing opportunities, Philippaerts was uncompromising and determined against numerous Grand Prix peers and factory representation from four other manufacturers.

The Italian escaped from the pack in the first moto of twenty minutes and two laps and then enjoyed a small battle with Ken de Dycker in the second before getting the better of the Belgian. De Dycker was able to make an early break in the Superfinal – the third race of a dark and overcast day – and Philippaerts rode within himself for second place to confirm his second set of spoils in 2009.

“It was good to win here because the track was difficult,” said the 25 year old. “De Dycker was fast but it was good training and another test for the bike. Things are heading in the right way and now we will go to Belgium for some more work before coming back to Italy. Faenza will be an emotional first Grand Prix but I am excited to start the season.”

Coppins, who has been splitting his time between training in Italy and spending time in the UK with his new daughter Myla, tackled a few technical issues with his motorcycle but was still a protagonist. He followed his team-mate in Moto1, beat Marc de Reuver to 3rd in Moto2 and was 5th in the last race.

“It wasn’t a bad day but I did not ride as well as I did in Italy and struggled to get a rhythm with the track,” the winner of the 2008 German GP said. “We had a small few things to sort out with the bike but that is the reason why we do these races. I was quite good in the first laps and had two decent starts in the first two motos; so this was positive. I was a little bit inconsistent with my speed, sometimes very fast and then not so quick, and I know we can be better. We will be working hard for the next month and expecting to move up a level before the first Grand Prix.”

The team will now continue their plans in readiness for the 2009 Grand Prix campaign that begins fittingly at their home event in Faenza Italy on March 29th. Both riders will contest the third round of the Italian national series at Ponte a Egola on March 8th.

[denill]

Date : 9 March 2009

Josh Coppins 3rd in Ponte Egola , Italy

This past weekend Yamaha Monster Energy racer, Josh Coppins , headed to the penultimate round of the Italian Championship in Ponte Egola. After a week of downpours in Italy , Saturday’s qualifying sessions dawned with great weather conditions much to the relief of the strong pool of GP riders that had turned out for the event.

The sunshine continued on Sunday as Heat 1 got underway nontheless the drenched circuit still made for less favorable race conditions. Coppins had a far side gate pick which made his start tough as he needed to run right through the thick of the mud down to the first corner. After a bad start the Kiwi was pushing hard when he slipped on a corner and went down. Coppins quickly re-mounted his Yamaha and got going. With his work well and truly cut out the New Zealander put on a determined charge and despite the conditions made passes lap after lap, edging ever closer towards the front of the pack. At the end of the race “Lizzard” had closed in on Ramon to take a well deserved 4th position.

Heat 2 would see a better start for the Kiwi as he exited the first corner in the leading group of riders. He rode a very strong race maintaining his track position to bring home his Yamaha YZ450FM in 4th position.

With the consistent race results, Josh Coppins finished with a 3rd overall.

“This weekend the bike was great, and I know the Yamaha Monster Energy Team and I are ready for the first GP. We have a photo shoot this week in Italy , so I have decided to stay down here and race the last round of the Italian Championship next weekend in Gazazane. This will be out final preparation in the countdown to Faenza at the end of the month”.

Overall results MX1 :

1 PHILIPPAERTS DAVID - 50pts
2 RAMON STEVE - 44pts
3 COPPINS JOSHUA - 38pts
4 STRIJBOS KEVIN - 33pts
5 LEOK TANEL - 33pts
6 LEOK AIGAR - 30pts
7 DE REUVER MARC - 28pts
8 PRIEM MANUEL - 26pts
9 SALVINI ALEX - 22pts
10 BILL JULIEN - 21pts

[kezzafish]

good stuff, thanks for the updates. Josh is going good but man philliparts is on fire... uh oh

[denill]

good stuff, thanks for the updates. Josh is going good but man philliparts is on fire... uh oh

Yep. If Josh beats Philippaerts he'll be the World Champ. :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Reckless]

Yep. If Josh beats Philippaerts he'll be the World Champ. :woohoo: :woohoo:

Thanx for posting the updates denhill!!

That Philippaerts is getting the wins though! Hopefully Josh can find a fraction extra to nail him in the real championship races! Is he foxing??

[denill]

Date : 16 March 2009

Josh Coppins 4th overall in Italian Championship

Yamaha Monster Energy racer, Josh Coppins, rounded off the Italian championship with yet another consistent ride this past weekend at the technical circuit of Gazazane. Sunday morning dawned with sunshine on the well prepared hillside circuit nestled in the Italian mountains, as Josh prepared for his final race before the Grand Prix season gets underway for 2009.

The first heat took off and Josh got a great start amongst an almost complete GP rider line-up. Up in the top 5 Coppins put the hammer down and wasted no time in getting his YZ450FM into second position and pushing for the lead. Fighting with the continuous small choppy pumps ‘Lizzard’ got arm pump and battled to hold onto the powerful Yamaha as the laps ticked bye. Unable to hold his usual super fast pace, Josh slipped back into 4th position as the leading riders crossed the finish line for the end of the first moto.

As MX1 Heat 2 launched out the starting gate Coppins did not get the jump he was hoping for. Down in 10th position in this elite field was not what he wanted as Josh rounded up the opening lap. Throughout the race, one by one, Josh picked off the competition gaining positions gradually as the clock counted down. At the end of yet another hard race Coppins crossed the finish line in 5th position.

With the days result, the consistent Kiwi came away from the Italian Championship with a 4th overall, which is incredible considering he did not take part in all rounds.

With the final preparation race over, we caught up with Josh ahead of the first Grand Prix. “This season has started well for me, I am strong, the bike is strong and we have shown great consistency in all these season opening races. This week I am going to do further suspension testing Belgium to try iron out some little niggles I am having, but otherwise I am ready for the first GP in Faenza.”

Gazazane Overall results

1 CAIROLI ANTONIO ITA YAMAHA 25 25 50

2 STRIJBOS KEVIN BEL HONDA 15 22 37

3 RAMON STEVE BEL SUZUKI 22 14 36

4 COPPINS JOSHUA NZL YAMAHA 20 16 36

5 LEOK TANEL EST YAMAHA 18 18 36

6 BARRAGAN JONATHAN ESP KTM 5 20 25

7 COMPAGNONE FELICE ITA HONDA 13 12 25

8 VANNI JULIEN PAUL FRA HONDA 6 15 21

9 BILL JULIEN SUI APRILIA 11 10 21

10 CEPELAK JIRI CZE YAMAHA 7 11 18

11 DE DYKER KEN BEL SUZUKI 16 16

12 SALVINI ALEX ITA HUSQVARNA 14 14

13 LEOK AIGAR EST TM 8 6 14

14 PRIEM MANUEL BEL APRILIA 13 13

15 TRAVERSINI THOMAS ITA KTM 10 3 13

[Reckless]

Cheers Denhill lets hope he does well in the championship this year!
He beat PHILIPPAERTS in the 2nd race as well that wil do him good

[NordieBoy]

What happened to Philippaerts?

Not in the top 10 overall?

[denill]

What happened to Philippaerts?

Not in the top 10 overall?

David Philippaerts didn't race. Bring on Faenza. :woohoo:

[denill]

Yamaha News 19/03/2009
2009 MX-GP: Philippaerts and Coppins speak...

2009 will see the same formidable duo of David Philippaerts (25 years old from Italy) and Josh Coppins (32 years old from New Zealand) represent the Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross Team for the second year in a row. Philippaerts – as reigning MX1-GP World Champion – enters only his third year in the category and just his second on the conquering YZ450FM; the 2009 version is the evolution of a motorcycle that has captured eight titles in ten years. Coppins, so close to the crown in 2007, is now one of the veterans of the class and negotiates his third term with Yamaha. The New Zealander boasts 10 Grand Prix wins to his credit, one of which was taken in Germany last season.

Here the pair share their thoughts and expectations for the upcoming championship due to start at Faenza, Italy on March 29th; just seven months after the team celebrated the 2008 title at the same venue.

David Philippaerts

David, how did you spend the winter? Did you do anything different to prepare for your title defence?
DP: Not really, I did a programme more or less similar to last year. I went up to a mountain called Cogna, just over an hour from my home in Milan. With my brother, Deny, we spent a few weeks doing high altitude training with cross-country skiing and it was hard but felt good. Sometimes the temperatures went as low as -12! A few months before I went to the island of Sardinia on a scouting trip and found some good tracks. After Christmas a few of us spent three weeks over there riding every day. The weather was good and the island was very pleasant. Overall it was a good combination. If I changed anything with the training it was to try and find a bit more stamina. I want to be stronger over the full 40 minutes of a moto and not feel like I am searching for a bit more sometimes.

Have you noticed any changes to your life since becoming world champion?
DP: Not so many; I was able to buy a nice new car! I also finished many more things around our new home. There were more people in the street, especially in my home town, shouting ‘ciao’ but I guess I will really notice the status of being world champion in the first part of the season and at the races.

Looking back on 2008 there were some excellent races; Britain, Czech Republic and Holland, but it was also a tough championship to win...
DP: Yes, I always knew that if I aimed for a top five finish in each moto then I would be close at the end of the season. There were some low moments, like in France, and also times when I really had to work to get some points. The gap was never that big and finishing ahead of Ramon was often the target in the second part of the season. I always thought it was possible to win the championship – because the bike and the team are so good – but it took a few races for me to really believe in it.

You have been excellent in pre-season and you are looking in good shape for the GP season?
DP: Things have gone well. Mantova was a bit of a disaster but I think the fans realise it is a race that we use to get back to speed and also make some tests. Since then we had some success in Italy and also in France. The races do not mean much but they are valuable for getting things right with the bike and also a few trophies does help towards the confidence as the first GP gets closer.

Why no number 1?
DP: Because number 19 is better! I never raced to have the number 1 plate and I think there is often a bit of bad luck associated with it. Tony (Cairoli) had a difficult season in 2006 and you can even look at people like Hayden and Stoner in MotoGP. I think people tend to recognise the rider more for the number than the face, so keeping 19 was important to me.

It will be interesting going to Faenza for the first race?
DP: It will be emotional and I will admit that I am feeling nervous. I think there will be a lot of people there! That Grand Prix in 2008 was an incredible experience and it will be tricky not to think of it when we first arrive. It will also be our only home GP of the season. Despite all the pressure and attention I will be keeping in mind that there are 14 more races after that weekend.

How about the bike for 2009?
DP: I am very happy. We had an excellent bike in 2008 and we have made some small changes that should help us be stronger at the start. We were experimenting with a 2009 clutch and I liked it when I was training but I think we will start the season with the ’08 model.

Finally, who will be your main challengers again and who will be a surprise in 2009?
DP: A lot of people have asked me about Cairoli and I think that you need at least one season in MX1 to learn about the speed, the bike and the rhythms you can find on the tracks. However it would be silly to say that Tony will not be able to win races. I expect him to do very well. Other than that the usual people like Ramon will always be a threat because there are consistent. I think Clement Desalle will be a surprise and Barragan could be stronger.

Josh Coppins

Josh, 2008 was a test in many ways, both on (pre-season injury) and off the track. Do you think you might be operating again at the level you reached in 2007 now?
JC: I think I am close; it’s more of a mental thing at the moment. In 2007 I had no doubts at all but after a bad season like ‘08 you start to question yourself a bit, but to answer your question yes I feel I am getting close. However it’s important to realise that the competition has stepped up their game also; I know it will be a tough fight!

You changed your trainer over the winter. How was the new programme and how are you different approaching the new season?
JC: Well I was looking to change things up a little. I had great success with my previous trainer but I wanted a change and that’s why I moved over to Russell White. So far I have improved on a few of my weaknesses but I think it will be over the whole season that the improvement will show. I don’t want any ups-and-downs like last season. I want to arrive at every race fresh and ready to do the job, because that’s what it’s going to take to win, week-in week-out of good consistent results.

An unavoidable question...fatherhood! Has it affected your mindset at the races at all?
JC: No, not for the races but in the week, yes a lot! It’s not just about me anymore I have a family to look after and provide for. At the races it is about 100% focus on the job but you sure do think about things twice in the week! Like your future and commitments etc.

How is the YZ450FM different in 2009? Did pre-season tests go well?
JC: Yes, very well, like I said earlier ‘08 was a tough year for me on many levels, but we started work early on the ‘09 bike and we did a good job. We have improved in all the areas that I felt needed addressing, but it’s important we don’t stop and keep pushing as our competitors won’t stop and at the moment I feel we have a good advantage and I want to keep that!

Is must be a novelty to start the season on hard-pack after a few years at Valkenswaard...
JC: Yes it sure is going to be a bit different, good for some riders and bad for others, but for me it doesn’t matter too much. I think it will be a close race where as normally the first GP in the sand isn’t too close.

2008 was not the best year but you were still in the title hunt until the thirteenth round. On a better scale you must be once again one of the favourites...
JC: Yes you’re right, that’s a nice way to look at it. I wasn’t happy in ‘08 on-and-off the track and to be honest I didn’t enjoy my racing and that’s a very bad thing. So far I’ve loved my racing in 2009 and I want to keep it that way; to be in the title hunt for so long last year after a lot of set-backs makes me confident for 2009.

You are now one of the older riders in the class. Does the experience make up any disadvantages lost to youth?
JC: I think not. In 2007 ‘yes’, but the teams are so good now and they offer us riders a lot of support in this area. The good riders in their mid-20s have been through a lot already so they normally know how to handle themselves, but their advantage is that they recover a bit quicker and don’t feel the aches and pain quite as much. For the first half of the season this doesn’t apply too much but after mid-season when the going gets tough yes it does, this is also why I changed trainer because I wanted to improve this area and improve my diet to try and help with things like recovery and injuries and I’m happy to say so far it’s been working well.

What riders will surprise us in MX1 this season?
JC: Marc de Reuver will be better and confident in all conditions. Clement Desalle will have some very good races. For the rest I think there are many good riders going into 2009 so it’s hard to pick one or even several! I think I will surprise a lot of people.... why? Because many think I am not the ‘Josh of 07’, which is true, I want to be even better...

Now you are based in the UK with a young family does it mean past talk of retirement will not necessarily surface again in 2009?
JC: Yes you’re right. In the past I have always wanted to return to New Zealand as soon as possible, and although I will return one day, I am no longer in a hurry. I don’t even want to think of retirement. In 2008 I worried too much about my future after motocross, but the truth is I am a good rider and I still have a lot to offer. Besides I’ve been smart and invested wisely and along with all that I realised things just have a way of working themselves out. For me and my family I want to enjoy every day of life and racing and work hard and take it as it comes; I don’t want to talk about retirement anymore.

[NordieBoy]

"I don’t want to talk about retirement anymore."


:2thumbsup