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JoshCoppins.Com:
It features the Kiwi`s latest news, pictures, profile, wallpapers, etc.
Factory Honda rider, Josh Coppins, has had a tough day at the Euro-circuit of Valkenswaard in the Netherlands. A fifteen thousand strong crowd turned up to watch what was always going to be a Belgian – Dutch home advantage. Coppins’ role in the battle against the sand specialists would not turn out to be what he had expected.
A reasonable start in race one saw “Lizzard” jostling for positions going into the first turn chicane. Coppins pushed his CAS Honda into twelfth position as the pack completed the first lap and then disappeared over a hard breaking ski jump. In the second lap mayhem Coppins went down while trying to pass another rider. Remounting, he gave chase to the long gone leaders only to be dealt another blow two laps later. A mistake caused another crash, this time crushing his fingers between the clutch-lever and handlebars. Coppins retired into the pit lane with unbearable pain.
“It was my own fault. I was too impatient!” explained the Kiwi. “Instead of taking it easy and working my way through the field I tried to do it all in one go. I am so gutted.”
Coppins was determined to put his first race misfortunes behind him and concentrate on the job at hand. The gate dropped for the second race and “Lizzard” jumped well and shifted into the top five. He gave chase to five times world champ, Joël Smets and seemed to be matching Smets lap for lap. The CAS Honda was nestled in a comfortable fifth, never far away from the leaders. Only in the latter part of the race did the Honda lose ground. With no challengers from behind Coppins was happy to settle for fifth.
“Not my day I guess. I rode really stiff and was not flowing with the track. I ran with Joël (Smets) for a while. When he started moving I should have gone with him. Anyway, I’m looking forward to the next round in Teutschenthal next week. It’s one of my favourite circuits and I am determined to make amends there,” vowed Coppins.
1, Everts Stefan, BEL, Yamaha, 176
2, Melotte Cedric, BEL, Yamaha, 150
3, Ramon Steve, BEL, KTM, 129
4, Pichon Michaël, FRA, Honda, 127
5, Gundersen Kenneth, NOR, KTM, 120
6, Coppins Joshua, NZL, Honda, 114
7, Smets Joël, BEL, Suzuki, 102
8, Strijbos Kevin, BEL, Suzuki, 99
9, Leok Tanel, EST, Suzuki, 74
10, De Dijcker Ken, BEL, Honda, 72
