Kris VanOrden
02-20-2009, 08:52 PM
Coppins 7th in Supermoto Starbiker http://www.yamaha-racing.com/Images/spacer_tcm78-120217.gif
Coppins at Mettet http://www.yamaha-racing.com/Images/spacer_tcm78-120217.gif
http://images.yamaha-racing.com/photo/news/P20081021143456875.jpg Enjoying the most of his off-season before the gruelling process of winter training begins, Yamaha Monster Motocross Team’s Josh Coppins swapped riding shirt and pants for a set of leathers, and nobbly tyres for near slicks as he took a commendable 7th position at the annual supermoto Starbiker event at Mettet in Belgium.
The 31 year old Kiwi has ridden the popular event for the past two years and once again lined up with a Monster Energy lined YZ450F to face ex-motocross racers such as Fred Bolley, Mickael Pichon, Stefan Everts and Joel Smets. Former Yamaha stars Andrea Bartolini and Yves Demaria were also taking part.
While Pichon won the Starbiker event, Josh took 7th and then he finished 13th in the Superfinal that saw the guest riders mixed in with Supermoto specialists.
“There is a lot more depth of riders this year which made the racing even more exciting,” he said. “A lot of the guys have supermoto experience and it seems they come more prepared with tricked out bikes and settings. I improved with every ride and kept getting faster and faster with every race which I was happy with. I’ll look forward to next year and will hopefully be able to get in some more practice before I take on these big names again.”
One week beforehand Coppins had entered the Weston Beach Race in the UK, one of the biggest and most prestigious sand meetings in Europe, this time on his more familiar off-road YZ450F. He was battling with Enduro legend Dave Knight in a tight contest for podium places until he slipped off and his machine was hit by another rider, breaking the kickstart.
Coppins will shortly head home to New Zealand to take part in another Invitational Motocross meeting before returning to his new base in the UK in November.
Coppins at Mettet http://www.yamaha-racing.com/Images/spacer_tcm78-120217.gif
http://images.yamaha-racing.com/photo/news/P20081021143456875.jpg Enjoying the most of his off-season before the gruelling process of winter training begins, Yamaha Monster Motocross Team’s Josh Coppins swapped riding shirt and pants for a set of leathers, and nobbly tyres for near slicks as he took a commendable 7th position at the annual supermoto Starbiker event at Mettet in Belgium.
The 31 year old Kiwi has ridden the popular event for the past two years and once again lined up with a Monster Energy lined YZ450F to face ex-motocross racers such as Fred Bolley, Mickael Pichon, Stefan Everts and Joel Smets. Former Yamaha stars Andrea Bartolini and Yves Demaria were also taking part.
While Pichon won the Starbiker event, Josh took 7th and then he finished 13th in the Superfinal that saw the guest riders mixed in with Supermoto specialists.
“There is a lot more depth of riders this year which made the racing even more exciting,” he said. “A lot of the guys have supermoto experience and it seems they come more prepared with tricked out bikes and settings. I improved with every ride and kept getting faster and faster with every race which I was happy with. I’ll look forward to next year and will hopefully be able to get in some more practice before I take on these big names again.”
One week beforehand Coppins had entered the Weston Beach Race in the UK, one of the biggest and most prestigious sand meetings in Europe, this time on his more familiar off-road YZ450F. He was battling with Enduro legend Dave Knight in a tight contest for podium places until he slipped off and his machine was hit by another rider, breaking the kickstart.
Coppins will shortly head home to New Zealand to take part in another Invitational Motocross meeting before returning to his new base in the UK in November.