    |
 |
|
|
|
Ian Miles, Press Release:
COPPINS & TOWNLEY TO CZECH
Kiwi expats Josh Coppins and Ben Townley begin a final run at top placings in the world championship when they ride the penultimate round in the Czech Republic this weekend.
Coppins, 25, is bidding for second in the glamour 250 class on his Honda while 17-year-old Townley hopes to take his KTM into the top five of the 125 category.
Only a trip to Russia in a fortnight offers a final chance to build points, so the pressure is on as the travelling motocross circus heads to Loket, near the Czech-German border, for this 11th round of its colourful programme.
Coppins finds himself tantalisingly close to runner-up spot in a class dominated again this year by Frenchman Mickael Pichon.
For the third season in a row Coppins is fighting out a final placing with German Pit Beirer. A difference this year is that they are on identical bikes and were teammates for most of the year.
With the financial collapse of Fabrizio Berni's Italian-based Vismara team Coppins remains supported by Honda Europe, the distribution base for the Japanese giant on mainland Europe which has aided the likeable Kiwi through the latter half of this season.
It was the withdrawal last week of Honda Europe's backing which finally tipped over the Berni outfit, the team which had twice suspended Coppins this year just as it was due to make salary payments.
The Kiwi is widely admired for his resolve in 2002, surviving the problems within his team and also clearing his name of a doping charge over a hay fever tablet.
Coppins is now determined to take runner-up place in the championship and carry the number 2 plate next year.
"I've been as high as fourth two years ago ... if winning the title has to
wait another year then I want second at least," commented the Motueka-born
pro racer.
"I've spent eight years working my way to the top of this championship,
that makes you pretty hungry for success.
Coppins needs just six points to overtake Beirer after a fascinating season-long tussle between the two red-clad masters.
The brash German had the better of the quiet Kiwi at the first two events where Coppins finished fifth. Then began a seven-race string of podiums for Coppins, beating Beirer every time and putting pressure on Pichon's lead in the championship.
However, found not guilty of doping but guilty of negligence over the hay fever tablet, the Kiwi was docked 20 points from the Grand Prix of Austria and slipped just one point behind Beirer.
Still most pundits were betting on Coppins to quickly regain second position.
But at his home grand prix at Gaildorf last week the German scored a second spot and Coppins was relegated to fourth, championship positions remaining Beirer 2 Coppins 3.
"The team's political problems all came to a head at that meeting and with
the doping charge and everything else it really affected me," Coppins
admitted candidly.
"It was a lot to take and my riding suffered. But I've got through that
now, the bullshit around the team is gone and this weekend it's time to
regain my place."
Coppins affirmed his form with a runaway performance at an international holiday event in England on Monday, notching up wins in all three races.
He is now ready to take the fight to Pichon who clinched his second straight world title for Suzuki at Gaildorf and is likely to be in demonstrative mood this weekend.
Just a year ago Pichon and Coppins were teammates in the yellow Suzuki camp which this weekend is looking to wrap up its second straight constructors' title.
Meanwhile young Townley, who has learned so much from Coppins to spring to 125 prominence this season, also finds himself battling for a prominent placing.
After a stellar year on the factory-supplied KTM 125 at Big Five Vangani Racing, the tearaway from Taupo is sixth overall in the world championship.
"I wanted a top-five place and that's still my goal," commented the teenager.
"I've handicapped myself with crashes at the last two GPs so it's time get
some points back on the board.
"I need 30 quick points to catch up, that's my goal at these last two races."
The title in his class is coming down to the wire with two Belgian KTM riders, Patrick Caps and Steve Ramon, battling it out with the Kawasaki of Frenchman Mickael Maschio.
Mindful of his support from the mighty KTM factory, the largest maker of dirt bikes in the world, Townley has offered to help Caps or Ramon to the title if he finds himself positioned to do so in the race.
He has already played his part in the orango marque's unassailable lead in the constructors' championship.
Like Coppins, Townley comes off a turbo-charged latest weekend.
In a Belgian championship event on Sunday, the youngster rode an unfamiliar KTM big-bore four-stroke 540 for the first time.
Again startling observers and reinforcing his huge potential, Townley mixed it with open class legends Joel Smets and Stefan Everts for race placings as high as second.
This week both Coppins and Townley plan to rest up before heading east to the Czech Republic.
Recent floods did not affect the circuit at Loket, 140km west of the capital Prague and a similar distance south of eastern German city Dresden, and fans can expect breathtaking racing as the season approaches its climax.
Qualifying is held Saturday; Coppins contests the 250 grand prix at 11am local time Sunday and Townley lines up in the 125 race four hours later.
World 250 championship after 10 of 12 rounds: 1 Mickael Pichon (France) Suzuki 238 points; 2 Pit Beirer (Germany) Honda 183, 3 Josh Coppins (NZ) Honda 178; 4 Fred Bolley (France) Yamaha 146; 5 Jamie Dobb (England) KTM 139; 6 Kenneth Gundersen (Norway) Kawasaki 134; 7 Gordon Crockard (Ireland) KTM 124.
Constructors: Suzuki 238, Honda 206, Yamaha 181, Kawasaki 158, KTM 157, TM 83, Husqvarna 65.
World 125 championship after 10 of 12 rounds: 1 Mickael Maschio (France) Kawasaki 182 points; 2 Patrick Caps (Belgium) KTM 181; 3 Steve Ramon (Belgium) KTM 174; 4 Alex Puzar (Italy) Husqvarna 156; 5 Philippe Dupasquier (Switzerland) KTM 154; 6 Ben Townley (NZ) Big Five Vangani KTM 125; Tyla Rattray (South Africa) Big Five Vangani KTM 99.
Constructors: KTM 238, Kawasaki 179, Husqvarna 169, Yamaha 137, Honda 95, Suzuki 68, TM 5.
