Coppins-Yamaha collaboration enters third term
Former double world championship runner-up Josh Coppins will
enter a third year with Yamaha and the Yamaha Monster Motocross
Team after putting pen to paper to extend his current deal
this week.
The popular New Zealander, who presently sits third in the
2008 FIM MX-1 series as the calendar reaches its tenth stop
this weekend in South Africa, has won six Grand Prix in a
potent combination with the YZ450FM, including a memorable
debut success at Valkenswaard for the opening round of 2007
and almost clinching the ’07 title before an unfortunate
injury halted his progress deep into the season.
The 31 year old has walked the podium 12 times and won 11
motos in the space of a year and a half and 21 Grand Prix
with the factory team. His alliance with the YZ has proved
incredibly effective and he topped charts of: Moto wins, Grand
Prix wins, Podiums accumulated and rounds led (13) in 2007.
He dominated the Grand Prix of Germany several weeks ago
and is just 16 points behind team-mate David Philippaerts.
Thanks to his efforts and that of the Italian alongside him
– who is already confirmed for 2009 - Yamaha lead the
Manufacturers’ standings and retain a realistic and
viable chance of world championship success this year.
“Once I had made the decision I wanted to race another
season and another world championship there was no other option
in my mind than to continue with Yamaha,” said the Kiwi.
“We have had success in a short period of time and that
is partly due to the excellent way the team work. The world
championship was so close for us last year and we are right
there for the 2008 title. I know that the team and Yamaha
are right behind me and I could not wish for a more professional
set-up. Signing the new deal was pretty quick, I’m glad
to get things sorted out early so we can push on with doing
the business this season.”
“For Yamaha it is a very logical decision to continue
with David and Josh next year as we are very happy with the
current rider line up,” said Yamaha Motor Europe’s
Racing Division Manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp. “Josh
is a very experienced rider with an amazing fighting spirit
and dedication for the sport and that is very valuable for
Yamaha. I am confident that he will be a title contender both
this year and the next. The aim for 2008 and for 2009 is to
win the Rider and Manufacturer’s title, and have both
riders at the top of the ranking..”
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