New Zealand’s Josh Coppins just missed out on podium finish at the weekend’s British motocross GP, the seventh round of 15 in the world championships.

But a solid performance from the Motueka man means he hangs on to fourth in the series standings as several riders close to him suffered setbacks.

Italian Antonio Cairoli continues to lead the title chase but finishing an unaccustomed 10th and eighth in his two outings at Mallory Park, the Yamaha ace sees some of his points advantage whittled back.

Freom being 36 points in front of Spain’s Jonathan Barragan (KTM), Cairoli is now just 34 points in front of new No.2 man in the standings, defending world champion David Philippaerts (Yamaha).

Philippaerts won the day at the British GP, finishing first and second in his two races, while Barragan had to settle for 10th overall, scoring points in the first race only when he came home in third position.

Barragan has therefore slipped back to third in the championship standings, now just six points ahead of an improving Coppins.

Coppins turned up with the full intention of standing on the podium at the British GP, regarded as the nearest thing to a home GP for the Kiwi.

In the Saturday qualifier Coppins got a great start and ran up in the leading trio for the duration of the race. Crossing the finish line in third spot, the likeable Kiwi would benefit from a great gate pick for Sunday.

As heat one got underway on Sunday, Coppins got a good start and ran up front with the leaders, as the world’s top MX1 riders all pushed hard for the vital points in the extremely close championship standings. With a number of position changes throughout the fast paced race, ‘Lizzard’ eventually crossed the finish in fifth place, racking up vital points.

Heat two was yet another solid start for Coppins, rounding up the opening lap in sixth position. Yet again the pace was intense out front, and with another strong ride ‘Lizzard’ was in fourth position at the finish, giving a fourth overall for the day and keeping him firmly in contention for the MX1 world title.

“Not too bad today and I felt better than the last few weeks; there was an improvement here and hopefully I will be able to get back on the box in France. The first moto was pretty eventful because a rock hit my left collarbone and that was pretty sore and I also broke some spokes on my front wheel when I clashed with Clement Desalle. The wheel was a bit wobbly and I got some arm-pump so the front group got away. There were some good points about today.”

With just 57 points separating the top seven riders, the MX1 World Championship remains wide open heading into round eight of the championship in France next weekend.

Meanwhile, French rider Marvin Musquin, the new team member of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team clinched a double MX2 victory take the GP win on his first weekend for his new team. The French rider won both motos for the first time in his career and retained the red number plate as the championship leader. It was his second GP win of the season and his first racing for his new factory team.

“I am feeling very confident. I liked the track and I am happy with my bike,” Marvin said. “Yesterday I knew I was fast when I won the qualifying race and could choose the first gate. I managed to take the holeshot in the first race and I put in some good lap times.”

Steven Frossard ended second on the for the second time this year. The result gave the CLS’ Frenchman a lot of confidence ahead of Ernee where he will try and grasp his maiden GP win. Moving past Gautier Paulin, Frossard finished second in heat one. In heat two he was sandwiched in between Rui Goncalves and Musquin with the duo eventually finishing ahead of him.

Rounding off an all French podium Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Paulin. Paulin remains runner-up in the championship. A crash in heat one saw the previous red plate holder lose his chance for a second place finish.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Goncalves put an end to his three podium row as he missed the rostrum by just two points – he ended fourth overall ahead of Spanish GP winner Jeremy Van Horebeek.

Taking 11th overall Steven Sword was the highest placed home rider. American Zach Osborne pulled out in pain due to his wrist injury – he tried to come back this weekend but he was maybe a race to early in his return.

MX1 Overall top ten:

1. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 47 points

2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 43

3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Honda), 42

4. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), 34

5. Tanel Leok (EST, Yamaha), 28

6. Mickael Pichon (FRA, Honda), 28

7. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Suzuki), 25

8. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), 24

9. Gregory Aranda (FRA, Kawasaki), 24

10. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), 20

MX1 Championship top ten:

1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), 255

2. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 221

3. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), 215

4. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), 209

5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Suzuki), 208

6. Clement Desalle (BEL, Honda), 204

7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 198

8. Tanel Leok (EST, Yamaha), 190

9. Gareth Swanepoel (RSA, Kawasaki), 106

10. David Vuillemin (FRA, Kawasaki), 101

MX2 Overall top ten:

1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 50 points

2. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 42

3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 38

4. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), 36

5. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 29

6. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Yamaha), 29

7. Manuel Monni (ITA, Yamaha), 28

8. Xavier Boog (FRA, Suzuki), 25

9. Ken Roczen (GER, Suzuki), 25

10. Anthony Boissiere (FRA, KTM), 25

MX2 Championship top ten:

1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 234 points

2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 219

3. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Yamaha), 208

4. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), 202

5. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 178

6. Xavier Boog (FRA, Suzuki), 166

7. Nicolas Aubin (FRA, Yamaha), 136

8. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 118

9. Manuel Monni (ITA, Yamaha), 115

10. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), 100

Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com