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Date: 30 May 2004.
Press Release:
A lifetime dream has come true for New Zealand motocross star Josh Coppins. The Kiwi who hails from Montueka stunned a sell out English crowd of thirty thousand when he claimed his first ever MX GP victory today on the Isle of Wight. Coppins went 2-1 to top his former rival Michael Pichon in a nail biting race which had English supporters hanging over the railings to cheer on the likeable Kiwi.
Coppins trailed fast starters, Melotte, Pichon and Everts going into the fast first turn in race one. It was the Kiwi who produced some cool, calculated passing manoeuvres and a few turns later he was slotting in behind, Frenchman Michaël Pichon to take second position. Coppins and Pichon set a blistering pace and the two Honda riders pulled a gap on the rest of the field in the opening stages of the race. “Lizzard” tried all he could to come close enough to threaten Pichon but the Frenchman would not let up. Lap after lap the Honda train flew over the spectacular Gore Basin circuit but Coppins’ challenge was to be to no avail. Coppins crossed the finish line for a well deserved second.
“I passed Everts and Melotte to slot in behind Pichon. We both pulled a gap on the rest of the field and at one stage I was closing him down. I could have pushed harder to catch him but I was worried I wouldn’t have enough energy to pass him. I think I’ll have something extra for the next race” said Coppins.
Coppins missed out on a top start and passed the time keepers in fifth position on the first lap. He reeled in and passed the Suzuki duo of Smets and Strijbos in the opening stages with a mistake by Belgian, Steve Ramon which set up the CAS Honda rider behind first race challenger, Pichon. Once again a Honda battle ensued with the crowd standing on their feet in suspense. Coppins made his move at the halfway mark much to the delight of the roaring crowd. Union-jacks and New Zealand flags waved on the ex-pat as he put in a combination of blistering laps. Pichon made a last minute effort to pass the Kiwi but Coppins shrugged off the pressure and raced to a well deserved victory and his first MX GP overall win.
“I managed to come through the field quite quickly. Smets was on my tail for a while after I passed him but then I could lose him. Michaël had some bad lines which I was able to capitalize on. I pushed as hard as I could once I had passed him. He challenged me at the end but I held on for the win. This is an unbelievable feeling for me after I have been up and down and back down again. I would like to thank the CAS Honda team and my mechanic Fabio and of course all the people who have been behind me and helped me get back to where I want to be. I want to take it one race at a time from here and keep the consistency going,” said Coppins
MX1 points standings 2004.
Everts Stefan, BEL, Yamaha, 306
Melotte Cedric, BEL, Yamaha, 250
Pichon Michaël, FRA, Honda, 230
Coppins Josh, NZ, Honda, 224
Ramon Steve, BEL, KTM, 213
Smets Joël, BEL, Suzuki, 175
Strijbos Kevin, BEL, Suzuki, 168
Leok Tanel, EST, Suzuki, 153
Gundersen Kenneth, KTM, 133
Jorgensen Brian, DEN, 123
