Kester 2012: Interview with Josh Coppins!
In addition to Herlings, De Dycker, Van Horebeek, Leok, Guarneri, Brakke and Martens, Kester also has a big surprise this weekend: Josh Coppins. The Jos for his Flemish fans! Because Coppins uses the break in the Australian championship to visit his in-laws in England with the whole family, he also attends a few European matches. Fortunately for us, the Radson Trophy in Kester is one of them. The eleven-time GP winner has good memories of Belgium and he is also a big fan of the natural, rolling Kesterheide. The Lizzard is also a former winner of Flanders' Most Beautiful! Mxmag brought the friendly Kiwi to the microphone.
You came to Europe after the fifth round of the Australian Championship. You're in the lead over there, that's not bad for someone +35?!
Josh Coppins: “Hahaha that's kind, thanks! I now have a 21 point lead and we still have 5 laps to go. I have to hold on as best I can until the end of the season. But honestly it's quite difficult because after the MX of Nations I'm stopping in Lommel! That's why I'm already starting to think about all kinds of things to do after my sports career. The end is very near now and that makes it more difficult. When I'm on the bike I'm still very concentrated. During training it is a bit different. I know it will be difficult to become champion, but I will certainly do my best.”
Do you still train in the same way as during your GP period?
Coppins: “No, I take it much easier. I'll probably drive a bit more. The fatigue of a GP weekend has a lot to do with this, if you ride all the sessions you will be on the bike for three hours. After a weekend like that you are really exhausted. Now I do a one-day competition and then you recover faster. Nowadays, motocross has evolved more into more training with the bike and refining your technique. Physically, I do much less. Over the past two years, I have never ridden longer than 20 minutes during training. Everything is more laid back, I work without a schedule and without a trainer. Depending on my mood, I decide what I'm going to do in the morning: have fun with the kids, surf, cycle with a road bike, mountain bike or train with a motorcycle. The fact that the weather is more predictable in New Zealand suits me very well. In Belgium it is sometimes difficult to make a tight schedule.”
You also did two races in Great Britain before this. How did they go?
Coppins: “In the British Championship (Milton Malsor; ed) I came third after Matiss Karro and Shaun Simpson. I also rode a Red Bull Pro National but the engine broke in the first moto. Because I'm there as a kind privateer I was driving, I didn't have any spare parts with me. Other than that I enjoyed my holiday. I also started training more intensively again. This winter I had a fairly serious shoulder injury, on December 15 I started training again. That's why I had to take a break. Now I have focused on the second half of the Australian Nationals starting the week after Kester. Lisa and the children will stay here for the next two months. When the Nationals are done, I will return to Europe for the MXoN.”
What about the MX of Nations in Lommel later?
Coppins: “The federation wants me to go. First of all to drive, but if I don't feel like it then they want me there as team manager. For me it's not really an issue because I like to drive. If it were a different circuit we might as well use younger drivers, but for Lommel that is almost impossible. Because we don't have such sand circuits in New Zealand. And we don't have many strong young riders at the moment. On top of that, Ben (Townley) is injured. We don't yet know who the other two pilots will be.”
Which motorcycle will you ride in Kester?
Coppins: “The basis is a standard engine, I brought all the special parts that were on it in Australia to Europe. So I actually ride the same motorcycle here as I normally do there. The Craig Dack Yamaha is good, I have nothing to complain about.”
You have a lot of experience with the Yamaha YZ450F. The revolutionary 2010 model and its successors received a lot of criticism.
Coppins: "That's right. The problems that James Stewart had didn't really help either. When he was first on Suzuki and won immediately, there were voices that saw this as confirmation of a lesser engine. But James also crashes on a Soos! I also had some adjustment problems in the beginning. Not with the engine itself, but simply because it was completely new. An engine that has lasted longer is easier to develop. I am quite satisfied with the Yamaha. Of course, there are still things that can be improved, but that applies to every manufacturer.”
How can people recognize you next Sunday?
Coppins: “I will wear the same colors as in Australia. The bike will look blue/white like the Craig Dack Yamaha I normally ride. My clothes are a bit different. Now I ride with Fox, a sponsor of the team, but for the past 5 years I have of course ridden in Europe with Thor. Furthermore, they will recognize me, right? My style is still the same, I have gotten a little older and a little slower.”
Where do you expect to stand among all the GP violence? Play the shorter series in your advantage.
Coppins: “Hard to say, I have no idea! Hopefully it'll be okay. This week I tried to do some driving. As you know, I really enjoy driving in Kester, the engine runs well... so that's all positive. But I have no illusions that the top 10 in the MX1 World Championship is going very fast. And you already have a number of men from there plus Herlings and Van Horebeek. Their speed will probably be a bit too high, but I don't think I will be too inferior! Hopefully I have a good day.”
What do you think of the GPs this year?
Coppins: “The Bastogne GP did not fit very well into my planning. Moreover, I went to the MotoGP in Silverstone on Friday… not ideal if you want to train. That's why I wasn't so sure I would go. In the end, I really liked it. In the MX1 the speed is very high, especially the first five. You have Tony (Cairoli), Christophe Pourcel, Gautier (Paulin) and Desalle. Behind it you sometimes have Ken (De Dycker), sometimes Kevin (Strijbos), Bobryshev or sometimes Philippaerts. Unfortunately, Frossard is injured, but the top 10 is simply very impressive. Due to the U-23 rule, riders have to transfer, which brings together a lot of talent. Even when I rode GPs, the top 10 was fast. But even for the 13de of 14de place you sometimes see a Philippaerts fighting, who was world champion in 2008! And David is not exactly slow, Leok is also there often, Sébastien Pourcel or Jonathan Barragan.”
You made a lot of friends in Belgium, is there anything else you missed?
Coppins: "Yes! In Mol I always went to eat in an Italian restaurant: Casa Fraquelli. I would like to go there again. I went there almost every day of the week. I was their best customer. When I asked them if there was anyone who came by more often than me, they said; there isn't one! I have already seen many people from cross country in Bastogne, but I also want to see people from outside the sport again.”
Do you have any news about Ben Townley?
Coppins: “I just saw it before I left, almost 5 weeks ago. He is doing well. He won't be ready against the MXoN because only then will he be fully fit again. I don't expect him to drive in Lommel. He will simply run out of contract with Honda Australia for the SX season. He is now in full recovery.”
You now have two children. How can the life of a top athlete be reconciled with a young one?
Coppins: “That's quite busy! I admire riders who have children when they are at the top. For example, you have Tanel Leok who has two young children. We got our first, Myla, when I was nearing the end of my GP career. While I now take things a lot slower than before, it is still quite an undertaking to manage my time properly. Children are of course a very nice way to spend your time! Now I even wonder what I did with my time before. It's great to be a dad, so I'm looking forward to it retirement to go and relax a bit.”
Do you have anything to say to the people who come to Kester?
Coppins: “Have a nice day and I hope I can make a good show for everyone.”
Photos: Yamaha Australia
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