Motueka’s Josh Coppins finally signed off on two decades of racing at the ultimate level of motocross.

And what better way for the Kiwi international to celebrate than by winning another national title, in a country not his own?

Here’s a neat video of Coppins’ last hoorah in Australia, where he wrapped up the 2012 MX1 title last weekend.

Next up for Coppins is to race the Motocross of Nations at Lommel, where he will team up with Cody Cooper and Kayne Lamont to wave the silver fern flag.

The photo here shows Coppins at the British GP in 2007, the year he came closest to winning the MX1 world crown.

It shows him with the red “championship leader’s” number board.

Coppins had been overwhelming favourite to claim the 2007 world title.

He had stretched his lead at the top of the MX1 world standings to 107 points over Belgian rival Steve Ramon – giving him two full GP events up his sleeve with just the final third of the season, five of the 15 rounds, remaining.

But disaster struck in round 11 of the 2007 championships in the Czech Republic when a small stone found its way into the rear brake mechanism of his bike, he crashed and broke his shoulder blade.

Belgian Steve Ramon went on to snatch the crown and Coppins had to settle for third overall that year.

This season was a different story and Coppins retires with the Australian MX1 trophy in his keeping. Congratulations Josh.

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

Read our tribute to Coppins and view more photos in your next issue of KIWI RIDER magazine.