Hard day for Coppins
By TMX Archives on 16th Aug 06
The Keiheuvel' circuit in Balen is considered to be one of the most demanding, rough and strenuous sand circuits in the world. Overnight showers and scattered rainfall added to the mayhem but that did not stop 14.000 Belgian fans turning up to watch a star studded field for the 6th round of the United Telecom Belgian Championships.
CAS Honda's Josh Coppins used the race as preparation for the upcoming sand GP's of Ireland and Lierop and having ridden two days prior at the British champs the Kiwi was more than pleased with his results.
A last minute spurt saw Coppins pass sand specialists Marc De Ruever to claim a podium spot in the first moto behind Stefan Everts and Steve Ramon. The New Zealander had a bit more work cut out in the second moto when he collided with Jonathan Barrgan on the opening lap. Coppins rode a brilliant comeback race in trying conditions and managed to salvage sixth spot.
A better start in the third and deciding moto had ‘Lizzard' tailing Everts and Ramon. The two Belgians were engaged in a cat and mouse game while Coppins tried to keep them in his sights. More rain could not deter the thousands of spectators who witnessed another Everts clean sweep over Steve Ramon and Coppins in third.
"This place is unbelievable” sighed Coppins "You won't believe how much rain this track has soaked up and we are still able to ride. I am happy with my result and it has been great practice for a GP like Lierop in three weeks time. These guys are so fast in the sand and to beat them here takes some doing. The track is the roughest I have ever seen it and I had some dodgy moments in qualifying with riders coming across my lines, out of control. All in all, I had a fun time out there!” smiled Coppins.
The bad weather conditions also meant that Coppins's skydive bet with United Telecom's Cynthia Reekmans had to be postponed. An alterative date is yet to be confirmed.
Race results United Telecom trophy:
Race 1
1 EVERTS Stefan
2 RAMON Steve
3 COPPINS Joshua
4 BREUGELMANS Sven
5 SMETS Joel
6 DE BELDER Tom
7 LEOK Tanel
8 PRIEM Manuel
9 DE DIJCKER Ken
10 BARRAGAN Jonathan
11 VAN NOOTEN Jurgen
12 SALAETS Kristof
13 VAN DEN BERG Heikki
14 ADVOKAAT Anne
15 PHILIPPAERTS David
Race 2
1 EVERTS Stefan
2 RAMON Steve
3 DE DIJCKER Ken
4 COPPINS Joshua
5 PRIEM Manuel
6 SMETS Joel
7 DE BELDER Tom
8 VAN NOOTEN Jurgen
9 BARRAGAN Jonathan
10 THEYBERS Danny
11 PHILIPPAERTS David
12 DESALLE Clement
13 NORLEN Marcus
14 KAAL Jimmy
15 VAN DEN BERG Heikki
Race 3
1 EVERTS Stefan
2 RAMON Steve
3 COPPINS Joshua
4 PRIEM Manuel
5 DE DIJCKER Ken
6 THEYBERS Danny
7 SALAETS Kristof
8 DE BELDER Tom
9 ADVOKAAT Anne
10 NORLEN Marcus
11 VAN DEN BERG Heikki
12 PHILIPPAERTS David
13 SALVINI Alex
14 LEOK Tanel
15 GOELEN Bart
Overall results:
1 EVERTS Stefan 75
2 RAMON Steve 66
3 COPPINS Joshua 55
4 DE REUVER Marc 53
5 DE DIJCKER Ken 44
6 LEOK Aigar 44
7 PRIEM Manuel 43
8 DE BELDER Tom 35
9 SMETS Joel 27
10 THEYBERS Danny 23
11 SALAETS Kristof 19
12 VAN NOOTEN Jurgen 19
13 BARRAGAN Jonathan 19
14 VAN DEN BERG Heikki 17
15 PHILIPPAERTS David 17