Coppins World 2008 FIM Thread

[denill]

Date: 11 May 2008.

Press release:

Coppins frustrated with Bulgarian MX GP result.

Factory Yamaha Monster racer, Josh Coppins, was dissatisfied with his performance at the fourth round of the FIM Motocross World champs held in Sevlievo, Bulgaria. With scattered showers mixing up the track conditions, Coppins battled with starts in both motos which consequently lost the New Zealander valuable points in the MX1 title chase.

Coppins was the fastest rider in the Sunday warm up session and felt confident for a good race result however a bad start in moto 1 ruined the Kiwi’s chances of challenging for the moto win. Coppins progressed up the rankings during the 35 minute moto and shut down the leading pack of fellow team-mate Philippaerts, Barragan, and De Reuver with minutes left on the clock. A last lap charge had Coppins breathing all over De Reuver but to no avail has he crossed the line in fourth, only eight seconds adrift of winner, Philippaerts.

A rain shower between moto’s would make for a wet second race. Coppins had a mammoth task ahead as he hit a rider going down the start straight and was pushed back in the pack. Fallen riders on the first lap held Coppins up again as he was left outside the top ten with tons of work to do. 7th spot was the best the Kiwi could produce as the checkered flag was waved for the end to a tough GP.

“I’m quite frustrated at the moment,” admitted Coppins. “I was pleased with my qualifying yesterday and this morning I was fastest in warm up which put me in a good mindset. I didn’t get the starts I needed today and in the first moto I took too long to get going. After the 10th lap I stepped it up and closed down the front pack but too late to gain some vital positions. The second moto start was a disaster and I was way back in the pack which, with the track being really fast and one-lined after the rain, meant that it would be difficult to make up lost ground. I have to say my starts and not being fast enough in the opening laps let me down this weekend and this is something I have to work on for the next GP.”

Coppins still occupies third in the MX1 championship standings and is 34 points adrift of fellow Yamaha Monster team-mate, David Philippaerts who leads.

Scott Columb was 24th

With no time to rest, the Factory Yamaha Monster rider will head to Mantova in Italy for round 5, next weekend. (17-18 May)

Race results:

MX1 Race 1

1 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha

2 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM

3 de Reuver, Marc NED Honda

4 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha

5 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki

6 Bill, Julien SUI Honda

7 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki

8 Pourcel, Sebastien FRA Kawasaki

9 Desalle, Clement BEL Suzuki

10 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki

11 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM

12 Brown, Mike USA Honda

13 Nemeth, Kornel HUN KTM

14 Priem, Manuel BEL Kawasaki

15 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda



MX1 Race 2

1 Pourcel, Sebastien FRA Kawasaki

2 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha

3 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki

4 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM

5 de Reuver, Marc NED Honda

6 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda

7 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha

8 Bill, Julien SUI Honda

9 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM

10 Brown, Mike USA Honda

11 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki

12 Priem, Manuel BEL Kawasaki

13 Schiffer, Marcus GER KTM

14 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki

15 Nemeth, Kornel HUN KTM



MX1 World championship standings:

1 Philippaerts, D. ITA 149

2 Ramon, Steve BEL 132

3 Coppins, J. NZL 115

4 Mackenzie, B. GBR 100

5 de Dycker, Ken BEL 98

6 Barragan, J. ESP 94

7 Pourcel, S. FRA 90

8 Nagl, M. GER 80

9 de Reuver, M. NED 76

10 Leok, Tanel EST 71

11 Brown, Mike USA 62

12 Nemeth, Kornel HUN 62

13 Priem, Manuel BEL 56

14 Desalle, C. BEL 55

15 Schiffer, M. GER 40

[paturoa]

oops

12th in FP1
16th in FP2

and 16th in timed practice

Something is wrong???

[arj127]

4th in first race, 5th in second. Come on Josh

[paturoa]

I was expecting him to regularly be on the podium by now????

"I think everyone knows that I have had a hard couple of weeks and I am not riding as well as I would like, so I think we did a good job in the motos; I believe fourth and fifth was not too bad," Coppins said. "I am looking forward to England now; that is like a home GP for me. I like to think I have a chance to win there.”

[arj127]

Like i said last year, he's got some pretty tough competition now. Phillipaerts being the main worry i think, could see he was good when he was piloting 250f's

[denill]

Date: 18 May 2008
Press release:

Tough day for Coppins in Mantova

Josh Coppins has experienced a tough weekend at the fifth round of the Italian MX GP in Mantova. The Factory Yamaha Monster racer battled with his speed all weekend on a track he has openly admitted he dislikes.

With bad weather conditions adding to the tricky stadium style track, Coppins went into the first moto with a wide gate pick. He jumped well but was pushed out by German, Maxi Nagl. After settling into 5th position, Coppins began to ride his own pace but came under pressure from Steve Ramon who he kept at bay for most of the 35 minute moto. Team-mate Philippaerts charged through the pack to slot in behind Coppins with two laps to go however the Kiwi finished strongly to secure 4th spot.

A perfectly timed jump to the start of the second moto saw Coppins take the hole-shot and early advantage. Maxi Nagl again threw a spanner in the works when he snuck past by the end of the opening lap as Coppins essentially lost his rhythm and concentration. A further four valuable positions were lost in succession with Coppins settling down in fifth until he crossed the checkered flag.

"It is quite close at the front of the championship and we saw another new winner this weekend. I am the only guy from the first few in the standings who has not won yet, but it will come. I think everyone knows that I have had a hard couple of weeks and I am not riding as well as I would like, so I think we did a good job in the motos; I believe fourth and fifth was not too bad. I closed some points to Ramon and pulled away from Mackenzie. I was pleased with my starts today even if I did ride badly in the first ten minutes of both motos; I was just too slow. In the last ten minutes I am as fast as the leader but I am too stiff and not relaxed in the first moments of the races. My confidence is getting better though. I don't like this track and it is the only one of the fifteen that I struggle with, so that's another reason why I am pleased with the result. I am looking forward to England now; that is like a home GP for me. I like to think I have a chance to win there." stated Coppins.

Coppins will take a weekend off in order to prepare for the 6th round of the FIM MX series which visits a new venue in Malory Park in Great Britain on the 1st of June.

Race results:
MX1 Race 1

1 Pourcel, Sebastien FRA Kawasaki

2 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki

3 de Reuver, Marc NED Honda

4 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha

5 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha

6 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki

7 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki

8 Leok, Aigar EST Yamaha

9 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda

10 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM

11 Schiffer, Marcus GER KTM

12 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM

13 Desalle, Clement BEL Suzuki

14 Nemeth, Kornel HUN KTM

15 Noble, James GBR KTM

MX1 Race 2

1 Nagl, Maximilian KTM

2 Philippaerts, David Yamaha

3 de Reuver, Marc Honda

4 Mackenzie, Billy Honda

5 Coppins, Joshua Yamaha

6 de Dycker, Ken Suzuki

7 Pourcel, Sebastien Kawasaki

8 Leok, Tanel Kawasaki

9 Ramon, Steve Suzuki

10 Priem, Manuel Kawasaki

11 Desalle, Clement Suzuki

12 Schiffer, Marcus KTM

13 Church, Tom Kawasaki

14 Anderson, Bradley Suzuki

15 Brown, Mike Honda

MX1 World championship standings:

1 Philippaerts, D. ITA 187

2 Ramon, Steve BEL 159

3 Coppins, J. NZL 149

4 de Dycker, Ken BEL 135

5 Mackenzie, B. GBR 130

6 Pourcel, S. FRA 129

7 de Reuver, M. NED 116

8 Nagl, M. GER 114

9 Barragan, J. ESP 105

10 Leok, Tanel EST 98

11 Nemeth, Kornel HUN 74

12 Desalle, C. BEL 73

13 Brown, Mike USA 70

14 Priem, Manuel BEL 67

15 Schiffer, M. GER 59

[scott411]

good to see Scotty Columb scored his first point of the season to,

[camchain]

Worried that Josh's misfortunes are getting the better of him. Taped and watched the race Philippaerts barged him. Rewound and viewed incident several times and it seemed to me he (Josh) might have changed his line a bit rather than get into argy bargy (easy to say - I know).

When things go wrong, your subconcious can magnetise scenarios which bring even more woe. Read recent Everts interview and he rated Ramon's chances again this year. I'd dearly love to see Josh do it but wondering now if he might do a DK.

[Danger]

A year is a long time in top level sport. The competition all want to win too and also have a year to build on last years efforts. Last year they saw Ramon win the Championship without ever winning a race (as I remember). The top guys all believe they are in with a chance. Josh has lost the jump he had on everyone from the previous year where everyone expected him to win. I'm sure he can turn it around tho, as long as he shifts his mind set and does not think its his to win by right. I'm sure he will have reached that point by now. It should be a more interesting season than last year in my opinion.
Go Josh!

[camchain]

Good points, and well put Danger. Seem to remember hearing/reading recently that Josh has an autobiography just out now (?? Is this right??). Kind of strange I thought. Seems like it might have a the most important chapter missing - hopefully.

Thanks for the thread upkeep paturoa.

[denill]

Josh - Flying Kiwi:

[Danger]

Josh - Flying Kiwi:

I get the feeling that book was penned to be released with Josh's winning of the World Championship last year.

Bit like Murray Deaker's book on the World Champion All Blacks last year. Just had to write or re write the last chapter!

[denill]

I get the feeling that book was penned to be released with Josh's winning of the World Championship last year.

Bit like Murray Deaker's book on the World Champion All Blacks last year. Just had to write or re write the last chapter!

Yeah, good point Danger. The book had been written over a long period. And expectations were high.
It's "Don't count yer chickens untill they're hatched'!

[NordieBoy]

Just finished watching the races.
Josh just didn't seem to run the lines and flow as well as he usually does.

[denill]

Date: 1 June 2008
Press release:

Mallory Park GP a struggle for Coppins.

As the FIM Motocross world championship completes the 6th round of the15 round series, Josh Coppins of the Factory Yamaha Monster team has lost ground in the MX1 title hunt after a luckless Mallory Park GP in the UK.

The Kiwi suffered first lap crashes in two motos which inevitably saw him have to fight his way from stone last in both races. Coppins had a further setback in moto 1 as he was recovering from his first spill he hit the dirt again after pushing hard through the pack. Once he settled into a race rhythm he managed to claw his way back to 11th spot on an extremely fast but technical Mallory Park circuit.

Trying to focus on a better start in moto 2 the first turn became a free for all with riders bumping elbows. Coppins lost some ground and then ran into a stalled rider and went down. After getting back on the track he had to stop again to remove a damaged fork guard before he could give chase to the pack. With the track conditions deteriorating, Coppins had a mammoth task to first catch the pack and then work his way as far up the field in the allotted 35 minutes. By the time the checkered flag was waved he had worked his way back to 12th.

“I’m happier with my riding and with my speed however I’m disappointed with my starts and how the races went. In the second moto I tried to work on getting a better start which I did but I got pushed wide in the first turn and then hit a stalled rider. It was mentally tough to have to come from behind again but I did the best I could and made as many points as possible. I’m a little happier with my riding now than with the past races but disappointed because the result doesn’t show it. I’m going to Italy at the end of the week to work with team so we can improve on some speed and some other settings and then I’m looking forward to going to France for GP7.” commented Coppins.

The spectacular circuit of St Jean d’Angely will welcome the next round of the MX GP series on the 14-15 of June.

Race results:

MX1 Race 1

1 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki

2 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki

3 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM

4 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM

5 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha

6 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki

7 Desalle, Clement BEL Suzuki

8 Leok, Aigar EST Yamaha

9 de Reuver, Marc NED Honda

10 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda

11 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha

12 Priem, Manuel BEL Kawasaki

13 Noble, James GBR KTM

14 Schiffer, Marcus GER KTM

15 Nemeth, Kornel HUN KTM

16 Brown, Mike USA Honda

26 Freibergs, Lauris LAT Yamaha

MX1 Race 2

1 Barragan, Jonathan ESP KTM

2 Pourcel, Sebastien FRA Kawasaki

3 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha

4 Mackenzie, Billy GBR Honda

5 Leok, Tanel EST Kawasaki

6 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki

7 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki

8 Bill, Julien SUI Honda

9 Brown, Mike USA Honda

10 Noble, James GBR KTM

11 de Reuver, Marc NED Honda

12 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha

13 Desalle, Clement BEL Suzuki

14 Priem, Manuel BEL Kawasaki

15 Leok, Aigar EST Yamaha

MX1 World championship standings:

1 Philippaerts, D. ITA 223

2 Ramon, Steve BEL 195

3 de Dycker, Ken BEL 175

4 Coppins, J. NZL 168

5 Mackenzie, B. GBR 159

6 Pourcel, S. FRA 151

7 Barragan, J. ESP 150

8 de Reuver, M. NED 138

9 Nagl, M. GER 132

10 Leok, Tanel EST 129

11 Desalle, C. BEL 95

12 Brown, Mike USA 87

13 Priem, Manuel BEL 83

14 Nemeth, Kornel HUN 80

15 Schiffer, M. GER 71