Coppins blasts to win in WA sand
The New Zealander's second win of the season in the Australian Motocross Championship, this time in the deep and unrelenting sand of WannerooNew Zealander Josh Coppins has extended his lead in the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals (Australian Motocross Championship) to 42pts after an impressive performance in the deep sand of Wanneroo (WA) on May 13.
Coppins won the MX1 overall with 1-2-1 results, despite riding through the pain of a pinched nerve in his neck.
“The last round didn’t go to well for us, so it’s nice to bounce back and I really want to thank CDR Yamaha for all their hard work,” the New Zealander said. “We’ve been working really hard, they’ve been looking after me and I can’t say thanks to the team enough. It’s pretty tough out there, so I just want to try get rid of my injury, loosen up and try ride a bit better as the season goes on.”
Despite the relentless sand whoops of Wanneroo that formed throughout the round, Australia’s leading contenders pushed at 100 percent during all three motos in the championship’s first visit to WA since 2009.
Backing Coppins up to make it a Yamaha 1-2 was teammate Lawson Bopping (2-3-6), ahead of Suzuki’s Todd Waters (4-4-3), last start winner Brad Anderson (Honda, 3-13-2) and Cody Cooper (Suzuki, 9-5-4).
The hard-luck story of the round was defending four-time champion Jay Marmont (Kawasaki), who broke through for his first win of the season in moto two. His day ended early in moto three though, forced out late in the piece as his pre-season knee injury continues to take its toll.
MX2 championship leader Luke Styke (Yamaha, 1-1-4) picked up his second overall of the season.
“After putting in hard this weekend, I just want to thank the Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing team and the club for a great event,” Styke said. “It was a good weekend and it feels good that all the hard work is paying off for all of us, but it’s early in the season and we need to keep trying the best we can.”
Styke won ahead of Honda polesitter Cheyne Boyd (2-3-3), who enjoyed a consistent round for his first podium of the season. Adam Monea (Suzuki, 1-4-6) was third overall.
Title contenders Ford Dale (Honda) and Kirk Gibbs (Yamaha) had a day to forget, with the former seventh and Gibbs 13th after a flat tyre in moto one.
Styke now enjoys a handy 39pt lead ahead of Dale, with Gibbs third.
The Australian Motocross Championship will now head straight to Murray Bridge (SA) for round five on May 20. Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for more information.
MX1
1. Josh Coppins 72
2. Lawson Bopping 57
3.Todd Waters 56
4. Brad Anderson 50
5. Cody Cooper 46
6. Tye Simmonds 45
7. Daniel McCoy 42
8. Jay Marmont 38
9. Mike Phillips 33
10. Gordon Crockard 32
MX2
1. Luke Styke 68
2. Cheyne Boyd 62
3. Adam Monea 55
4. Kade Mosig 54
5. Josh Cachia 46
6. Lewis Woods 44
7. Ford Dale 42
8. Scott Columb 38
9. Luke Arbon 38
10. Kirk Gibbs 37
MX1 standings (after four of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins 253
2. Brad Anderson 211
3. Todd Waters 208
4. Lawson Bopping 203
5. Cody Cooper 183
6. Tye Simmonds 178
7. Jay Marmont 177
8. Jake Moss 157
9. Daniel McCoy 125
10. Daniel Reardon 107
MX2 standings (after four of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke 260
2. Ford Dale 221
3. Kirk Gibbs 199
4. Cheyne Boyd 198
5. Josh Cachia 195
6. Kade Mosig 194
7. Adam Monea 190
8. Justin McDonald 143
9. Lewis Woods 134
10. Errol Willis 131
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