MxLarge Story

Josh Coppins interview - Down Under in OZ

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Interview Friday 01st April 2011 By Geoff Meyer

Former Grand Prix racer and multiple GP winner Josh Coppins has been enjoying good weather down in Australia and New Zealand, although he has also picked up some minor injuries. We gave Josh a call as he prepared for the second round of the Australian Motocross Championship this coming weekend.

MXlarge: Josh, what's happening, are you in Sydney?

Coppins: I am in Melbourne, testing with the team then flying to Sydney for the next round of the Australian Motocross Championships.

MXlarge: Can you explain how your New Zealand season went?

Coppins: First round went well, I won that, then I picked up an injury at the first round of the Australian Motocross Championships with my elbow, but I still had a one point lead going into the last round, so I felt good about that. Qualified well, but hurt my ankle in the first race of the day. I was disappointed because I did well in the first round and I did well in the Supercross.I wanted to top those results off with the Motocross title, so that was disappointing.

MXlarge: Was Cody on it?

Coppins: Cody was riding well, he rode well in the second, third and fourth round, but I felt I was doing well enough to get the job done and that was disappointing. He deserved it, he rode well and as soon as I had my problem he took advantage of it.

MXlarge: When does the season end over there. Are we likely to see you doing some races in Europe?

Coppins: The Aussie season finishes in July, I am looking at maybe coming back to do some races in Europe. I am speaking to people. I wouldn't do any Grand Prix's, only some Internationals or some other events. It's been a pretty good New Zealand season and now I am concentrating on the Australian Championship.

MXlarge: How is the pace down in Australia, are those guys fast?

Coppins: It is hard to tell, because the first round was really wet and in qualification it went pretty much how I expected. It was myself, Billy and Cody were a bit faster than the rest. Billy and myself are used to qualification, while Australia is more American style. Then it rained and was really wet, so it was hard to know where they are. Sure they are good, no doubt about that, but we need to wait and see how they are in the dry.

MXlarge: How has it been training in that great weather?

Coppins: I picked up some injured, not serious injuries, just little ones and I've been not riding during the week and with Australia coming up I have been trying to get ready for Australia. It's been difficult. It's also frustrating because I thought maybe I would have more time, but doing both New Zealand and Australian series it's been busier than I expected. Now I just have Australia, so I will quiet down. It's been great weather so training hasn't been a problem.

MXlarge: Your old mate Ben Townley is struggling again with an injury. It's tough for him isn't it?

Coppins: It's pretty disappointing for everybody, but more so for himself. He wanted to come back and race again and start winning again. He can come back, but it's very frustrating for him.

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