MXoN

**denill** · 19th September 2008, 18:51

From HHMedia

Motocross of Nations change to the New Zealand Team. Daryl Hurley has withdrawn (MNZ says he has hurt an ankle) and Scott Columb comes in as reserve rider is in. Columb who has been in the MX1 World Champs improved over the latter rounds and was as high as 16th.

MNZ's Mike McLeod is already on his way via China with Michael Menchi and Menchi will assume the role of 'reserve' after the Beijing event.

**CHOPPA** · 20th September 2008, 00:26

You would think bt would be good by now..? Scotty is the man anyways he will do good as

**scott411** · 20th September 2008, 08:30

Bt still has not started riding, so he is out,

Scotty will do well, although i can think of some better riders than Menchi to take as a spare, although he is a suzuki rider so the bikes are not a problem,

it is likely to be wet in england for the race, can Coops proove again he is the man in the mud like Unadilla??

**paturoa** · 20th September 2008, 08:46

Go team!
10 chr

**Pierce** · 20th September 2008, 10:44

I think it's safe to say US has this one wrapped up. They're taking over a pretty damn strong team this year, pity Alessi couldn't make it this year cos he was the only other rider to show James a front wheel.

But back on track here

GOOOOOO NEW ZEALAND!!! Here's hoping we can show some magic and give the world a show of what this little country has to offer (just like coops has in the ama)

**paturoa** · 29th September 2008, 06:31

8th overall.

http://www.youthstream.org/reslists....t=7&c=6&y=2008

**denill** · 29th September 2008, 06:57

Andy McG's Take:

**denill** · 29th September 2008, 11:09

Yamaha News 28/09/2008
Coppins 4th for New Zealand at 2008 Motocross of Nations

Coppins at Donington

Yamaha Monster Motocross Team’s Josh Coppins took 4th position overall in the MX1 class at a cloudy and sometimes wet Donington Park for the 62nd Motocross of Nations, assisting his country, New Zealand to a final finish of 8th place. MX1 World Champion David Philippaerts steered his YZ450FM for Italy and fought with American number one James Stewart in the first moto taking 3rd spot but a brace of crashes in his second race left him the outside the top twenty.

The circuit that hosted the 2007 British Grand Prix and regularly entertains MotoGP and World Superbike events had been altered and changed for the biggest and most historical meeting on the off-road motorcycle racing calendar. 60000 spectators flocked to England’s East Midlands and the cosmopolitan crowd remained in good spirits despite a period of rainfall in the morning.

The hard terrain from a warm and sunny Saturday became soft and very rough after Sunday’s climate change and the surface provided a technical test for a gathering of the best rider’s in the world.

Coppins was a protagonist in the top ten during both of his races. The 31 year old had taken a break after an arduous Grand Prix season and lacked a little race sharpness. He was as high as 3rd in the second sprint for the MX1 riders but ended the day 7th and 6th to be the Kiwi’s best performer.

In other news Utag Yamaha.com’s Kenneth Gundersen has been forced to retire from the sport as a result of the weakened condition of his cartilage. The Norwegian was present at Donington Park to see his team enter the B-Final and commented that the repercussions of two knee injuries and a damaged cartilage were behind his decision, after his knee swelled while training two weeks ago. “It is a tough situation but after I had some inflammation I saw the doctor and he said the cartilage was not in good shape. I am only sorry for Steve (Dixon, team manager) because he believed in me and we were hoping for a decent 2009. I have had ten years in the world championship and many good times and met many good people. I really don’t know what I will do now but I hope I can stay in the sport.”

“I am very sorry for Kenneth that he has to stop his career because of injury,” commented Yamaha Motor Europe’s Racing Division Manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp. “When he came to Yamaha it was clear that he had a lot of talent and we were hoping he could come back from some difficult times. We wish him all the best, there is more to life than motocross and I will always see him as a Yamaha man.”

Josh Coppins

With the international schedule now over Philippaerts has a host of media and personal appearances lined up into the month of November while Coppins has committed to several beach race events and a race in his native New Zealand in October.

Josh Coppins, Yamaha Monster Motocross Team (New Zealand) 4th in MX1:

“The day was OK, nothing more. My starts were good and the motos were pretty consistent. I crashed in the first race and felt a bit tired in the second half of the next one. I did not really have the year I wanted so after the last GP I felt a bit down and took some time off and it showed today. However I think I gave the Kiwi team quite a solid ride, it was just a shame I could not maintain that good speed of the second moto until the end. I am happy a long season is over!”

David Philippaerts, Yamaha Monster Motocross Team (Italy) 10th in MX1:

“I started well in the first moto and was riding fast but Stewart and Pourcel were just a bit better. I was pleased with third position, it was good for the team. The second moto was a disaster. After three laps I crashed and afterwards pushed hard to get as many positions as possible but made another mistake. It was not my day today and it is disappointing. I wanted a lot more from this race. The last two weeks have been pretty crazy and I am really tired now. I did not train so much after Faenza, and so I am quite content with the speed. It was a long season and after 15 races of always pushing to be near the top I did not have any more to give.”

Nico Aubin, Yamaha Ricci Racing, (France) 3rd in MX Open:

“We were really determined to try and beat the US and we tried as hard as we could. Anthony and Sebastien rode really well and I was pretty satisfied with my motos. I rode a bit too tense and not as relaxed as I would like but we took a good result and I liked racing the 450F today.”

Zach Osborne, Utag Yamaha.com, 7th in MX Open:

“I came together with Brett Metcalfe in the second turn of my first race and went down. I fought my way back to 6th but it meant that I was spent for the second moto. I did my best and finished the race and I think people are happy with what I did. I feel really drained and with the small amount of time between the races I was not able to recover properly. The track was really rough for the second race; I could not believe it, but I really enjoyed riding here.”

Laurens Klein Koerkamp, Racing Division Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe:

“We have reached the end of a long season and looking back we are delighted to have won the MX1-GP title and with Valentino Rossi claiming the MotoGP championship we are extremely happy that Yamaha have enjoyed so much success both off and on the road. 2008 has been a special year for us but now we will focus on the preparation for the coming season and both David and Josh will be pushing for more acclaim in 2009.”

MX1 Overall Result

1. Sebastien Pourcel, FRA, Kawasaki
2. Ken de Dycker, BEL, Suzuki
3. Julien Bill, SUI, Honda
4. Josh Coppins, NZL, Yamaha
5. Jonathan Barragan, ESP, KTM
10. David Philippaerts, ITA, Yamaha

MX2 Overall Result

1. Ryan Villopoto, USA, Kawasaki
2. Tommy Searle, GBR, KTM
3. Manuel Monni, ITA, Yamaha
4. Brett Metcalfe, AUS, Suzuki
5. Jeremy Van Horebeek, BEL, KTM
6. Carlos Campano, ESP, Yamaha

MX Open Overall Result

1. Tim Ferry, USA, Kawasaki
2. Steve Ramon, BEL, Suzuki
3. Nicolas Aubin, FRA, Yamaha
4. Alex Salvini, ITA, Suzuki
5. Cody Cooper, NZL, Suzuki
7. Zach Osborne, PUR, Yamaha

Final Motocross of Nations classification

1. USA
2. France
3. Belgium
4. Great Britain
5. Italy