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June 14th - \"strange weekend, strange results\" is how New Zealand\'s Josh Coppins described his experience at round eight of the 250cc motocross world championships in Italy this morning.
The 22 year old from Motueka scored a solid 5th in the first of two 45 minute races at the hilly Maggiora circuit, but was forced to withdraw from the day\'s second leg when a rock jammed the gear lever on his Suzuki.
Despite scoring nothing in the second leg, the New Zealand Champion remains 6th in the world rankings at the halfway stage in this year\'s 16 round series.
Coppins qualified his factory Suzuki RM250 only 10th fastest but defied that position by finishing a strong 5th in the first race.
\"I had a good start out of the gate in the second race but an Italian rider crashed in turn one and took me down, along with (series leader) Marnicq Bervoeta and my team mate Leon Giesbers\", Coppins said.
\"I started last but managed to move up to 17th place within about 10 minutes. I was happy with this and felt that I could move into the top ten\".
\"But then a rock jammed underneath my gear lever and it was impossible to shift up or down gears. I had to retire. All in all it was an ok weekend but for some bad luck. A strange weekend, strange results.\"
Belgian rider Bervoets (Kawasaki) scored 2-8 results this morning and lost his championship lead. German Kawasaki rider Pit Beirer was 1-2 today and now leads the series from Bervoets by 5 points.
Round 9 of the championship is the European Grand Prix next weekend.
