Coppins title is fifth consecutive MX Nationals Championship for CDR Yamaha The CDR Yamaha team celebrate
Josh Coppins' championship win.
In front of a large crowd gathered at the venue, Coppins raised his fist skyward as he crossed the finish line in the final 30 minute moto of the season, realising a life-long dream to win an Australian Motocross Championship in what is his final professional race on Australian soil. On board his Yamaha YZ450F and competing in the premier MX1 division, Coppins carried a 14 point advantage going into the final round over his nearest rival but there was still plenty of work to be done to lock the championship up. His 2-1-2 race results at the final round secured second place on the day and an 11 point lead in the final standings after 10 rounds, across five states and 30 individual races. "I have to say it was a great feeling as I rode up the final straight on the last lap,” Coppins said. "I tried to be as calm as I could all day, but inside I was really nervous as I had been in similar positions before only to have something go wrong. "My first emotion was one of relief as I really wanted to win this championship not only for myself but the CDR team. The two years I have been here have been nothing but a great experience for me and this championship is something that I’m proud to win with them. "I also want to congratulate Todd Waters on his season. He has been a great competitor and I have enjoyed racing him this year and I’m sure he will have plenty of success in the coming years. "But all credit must go to the CDR Yamaha team. Craig, Gary and my mechanic Jason have put in huge hours over the past 12 months and this is as much about them as it is me,” Coppins ends gracefully. Team Owner Craig Dack again found Coolum a happy hunting ground for his team and they walked away with their fifth consecutive MX National championship. It was a day for him to remember and a fitting finish to the career of Josh Coppins. "I’m excited for Josh that he was able to win this championship. He has experienced some gut wrenching moments in closing out a championship over the years and last years’ fall must have been in the back of his mind, but today it was a near flawless performance from him. "I have said it before, but the working relationship I have with Josh is still the best I have had with a rider in doing this role in 20 years. For Josh to secure our 36th championship, in our 20th anniversary of CDR Yamaha is a fitting reward and another historic moment for CDR and Yamaha.”  Coppins on his way to claiming the 2012 MX Nationals victory Also at the event was Yamaha’s Motorsport Manager, Ray Howard. "On behalf of Yamaha Motor Australia, I would like to congratulate Josh, Craig and the entire CDR Yamaha team and sponsors for another remarkable season. This result again shows the professionalism of the CDR Yamaha team, the talent of Josh Coppins and the performance of the Yamaha YZ450F.” "Five championships in a row is a significant achievement, full of hard work from a dedicated team. It was a great way for Josh to cap his career and the perfect way for CDR Yamaha to celebrate their 20th year.” Team mate Lawson Bopping finished of his season with a very respectable fifth place in the final championship standings. Bopping was on track to make it a team 1-3, but a huge crash in moto two at Coolum dented his changes and he could manage ninth for the round. "I’m a little disappointed on my result today but overall pretty happy with how I raced this season. I feel I have made a step up in my racing and training and working with the CDR team has been a huge benefit to me.” The CDR Yamaha team have little rest as both riders, Josh Coppins and Lawson Bopping contest the Motocross of Nations in Belgium and also the upcoming four round Australian Supercross Championship starting in October. Monster Energy MX1 Final Round 10 Results – Coolum 1st 47 Todd Waters Suzuki 72 Points 2nd 5 Josh Coppins Yamaha 69 Points 3rd 10 Cody Cooper Suzuki 60 Points 4th 60 Brad Anderson Honda 46 Points 5th 30 Dean Porter Suzuki 43 Points 6th 1 Jay Marmont Kawasaki 42 Points 7th 18 Billy Mackenzie Kawasaki 42 Points 8th 65 Daniel McCoy Suzuki 40 Points 9th 70 Lawson Bopping Yamaha 37 Points 10th 6 Jake Moss Honda 36 Points MX1 Final Championship Standings 1st Josh Coppins 618 Points 2nd Todd Waters 607 Points 3rd Cody Cooper 509 Points 4th Brad Anderson 509 Points 5th Lawson Bopping 506 Points 6th Jay Marmont 374 Points 7th Jake Moss 347 Points 8th Dean Porter 331 Points 9th Daniel McCoy 329 Points 10th Dan Reardon 320 Points Copy and images courtesy of Yamaha Australia. #template#]thumb_vertically[#/template#] |