Coppins unstoppable in Valence
By TMX Archives on 26th Feb 08
Josh Coppins swept all three races at the Valence International meeting in southern France; beating a host of world championship peers including 2007 number one Steve Ramon.
The New Zealander won the popular French event for the second year insuccession and took holeshots in two of the three motos, enjoying small battleswith Sebastien Pourcel, Julian Bill and Ramon across the race programme to markhis perfect score-card. It was the second time that the 30 year old (31 nextmonth) walked the top step of the rostrum after his proficiency last Sunday atMontevarchi in Italy and in spite of discomfort in his left shoulder than heaggravated at Mantova.
It was an enjoyable race because the weather wasgood for once and the track offered near Grand Prix conditions which meant thatI could really go for it, said the YZ450FM rider. I cannot complain with thebuild-up I've had. We have been using the race-bike for three weeks now and I amcoming to grips with it. My shoulder is not 100% and I will go for a scantomorrow. It has become better since Mantova but gave me some trouble on thelong and rough down-hills at Valence. I will find out this week what I have todo, whether it be physio or rest, and there is plenty of time before the firstGrand Prix to get back to normal. I am in great shape, so my confidence isgood.
Results:
1 COPPINS Joshua 25+ 25+ 25= 75pts
2 POURCEL Sbastien 22 22 2064pts
3 RAMON Steve 18 20 22 60pts
4 NAGL Max 20 15 18 53pts
5 DE-DYKERKen 16 18 10 44pts
6 BILL Julien 11 16 16 43pts
7 AUBIN Nicolas 9 14 1437pts
8 DESALLE Clment 10 6 12 28pts
9 NEMETH Kornel 15 8 - 23pts
10PRIEM Manuel 7 2 13 22pts