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CAS Honda star, Joshua Coppins has ridden to two consistent podium finishes on the magnificent Loket circuit in the Czech Republic. Thousands of enthusiastic spectators turned out to cheer on their motocross heroes.
All eyes were focussed on the thirty man line up at the bottom of the Loket valley for the start of the first heat. Coppins grabbed a great start in third position and immediately gave chase to try and hunt down the leader. Lizzard could not pass Estonian, Tanel Leok for second which gave Pichon and Everts the opportunity to catch up to the Kiwi. Pichon got by which gave Coppins a bit of a wake up call and he charged by Leok in search of his French rival. Next victim was Brian Jorgensen and Coppins was into second, trailing Pichon by a few seconds. The time lost behind Leok had given Everts the opportunity to tail Coppins and a slight mistake in a hairpin turn by the New Zealander enabled the Belgian world champ to slip by. The CAS Honda rider was content to sit in third knowing that valuable championship points were in the bag and that there was yet another race to come.
“I had a pretty good start but took too long to get by Leok in the opening stages. Once I had past him I managed to get Jorgensen but by that time Pichon was long gone. I need to charge harder in the next heat” said Coppins.
Lizzard grabbed a superb hole-shot in race two and set a blistering pace from the word go. The Kiwi looked to be repeating is Isle of Whight success and the crowd were on their feet as the battle between Pichon and Coppins ensued. Pichon set up Coppins for a well calculated pass but his move was short lived. Lizzard counter attacked and was back in the lead a few corners later. Pichon eventually got by and this time he made it stick. Coppins had lost his rhythm and had to hand second place to Everts as well. The New Zealander settled in third and was content to finish with consistency.
“I had an awesome start and pushed really hard in the first few laps. Once Pichon got by I lost concentration and instead of focussing on him I couldn’t keep Everts from passing. That’s something I want to work on in the next few GPs: I would rather win another GP than finish third in the championship,” explained Coppins.
MX1 points standings 2004.
1. Everts Stefan, BEL, Yamaha, 505
2. Pichon Michaël, FRA, Hona, 411
3. Coppins Joshua, NZL, Honda, 377
4. Ramon Steve, BEL, KTM, 365
5. Strijbos Kevin, BEL, Suzuki, 309
6. Melotte Cedric, BEL, Yamaha, 291
7. Jorgensen Brian , DEN, Honda, 264
8. Leok Tanel, EST, Suzuki, 258
9. De Dijcker Ken, BEL, Honda, 182
10. Smets Joel, BEL, Suzuki, 175
