So close, yet so far
By TMX Archives on 2nd Nov 07
Nothing is certain until it's certain in MXGP racing as Josh Coppins found out when he failed to win the 2007 MX1 World Championship...
AT the start of the 2007 MX1 season newly signed Rinaldi Yamaha rider, Josh Coppins, had a very clear goal of what he wanted to achieve. Taking to the start of his 12th season of GP racing, competing aboard new machinery and as the rider Yamaha chose to replace the great Stefan Everts, Josh was confident that 2007 would be the year that would define his professional career, the season in which he would finally claim his first ever world championship title.
Initially Josh looked more than capable of doing exactly that. Winning the opening round of the MXGP season, ‘Lizzard' went on to dominate the opening five GPs and after round six held a sizeable 107-point lead in the MX1 series standings. Things were looking very, very good for Josh.
But at the Czech GP, the New Zealander suffered a crash that would dramatically change the course of the World MX1 championship and ultimately saw him snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as far as his championship aspirations were concerned.
Forced to miss ten-motos while he worked tirelessly to overcome a painful and slow healing shoulder injury, Josh's once impressive championship lead dwindled away to next to nothing.
Despite winning more GPs than any other MX1 rider this season, despite leading more laps than any other MX1 rider this season and despite finishing on the podium more times than any other MX1 rider this season, and following a brave but ill-fated comeback ride at the British GP, Coppins failed to win the World MX1 title.
See T+MX News, Friday, November 2, 2007 for full story and pictures