Josh Coppins Interview mid-season in 2008 racing MX1 World Championship – Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross Racing Team report. Having led the MX1 World Championship by over 100 points in 2007, then succumb to a shoulder injury which side-lined the New Zealander’s claim to Title victory, Josh Coppins speaks on how the 2008 season was going, standing 35 points off the leader and team-rider – David Philippaerts with 3 Rounds remaining.
Josh, talk about experiencing some trials and tribulations this year….Even at the age of 31 do you think you have discovered more about yourself off and on the track?
‘Yeah, for sure; it has been a rollercoaster year. Up until 2008 it has always just been ‘me and motocross’ and even though I had thought about life afterwards I had never really considered it; it has just been me, me, me. This season has been tough and has made me look at other areas of my life. Becoming a father next January has made things different. I found myself asking questions about my career; I have lived in Europe for 13 years and that is a long time to be away from your home and family and I have missed so much by dedicating myself to motocross. So, to answer the question, there has been a lot of soul searching and I have learnt a lot more about the person I am’.
In 2007 you were undoubtedly number one, and this year you must have expected to share the spotlight with some more of the riders who were MX1 class rookies twelve months earlier. Was it still a little bit of a shock not to find yourself winning as much as you expected this time?
‘It is definitely hard to deal with and the fact that my team-mate has been leading the championship for most of the year which has made it quite tough. I’m not so bothered about the absence of the limelight or the lack of press conferences or not being the centre of attention, what did bother me was that I wasn’t enjoying my racing so much. I wasn’t coming to the GPs 100% ready to win and that was disappointing’.
It perhaps goes without saying that a 2008 title might be more gratifying that one last year…
‘Well, never knock a championship, but in 2007 I would have thought ‘yep, this is cool’ while this year would be an unbelievable achievement. Last year was a dream ride and this season is a bit more of a nightmare. It will be interesting…’
Just how close where you to a ride in the USA for 2009?
‘I would say 50-50. I think if it had been a year earlier then I would have lent more towards AMA but with way things seem to be over there with the economy and the stories of how motocross is changing, it seemed to be a little bit more up in the air and crazier than normal. My reasoning for going to the US was never to set the world on fire but I have a lot of friends over there and I like the championship. I would have been nice to experience something else. I am good friends with Ben Townley and I know he is very happy. I think I would fit in fine. In the end my mind ruled my heart a little bit because financially I was OK here and I am with a very good team; it made sense. I knew I would have a lot to learn and get to grips with in the US and time is not on my side’.
What rider has earned more of your respect this year?
‘Ramon. He has been solid all year whereas last season he was a ‘33-34 point-guy’ week-in, week-out. In 2007 he never won a Grand Prix and never looked like he would come close. He got the championship handed to him on a plate. During the pre-season I predicted he would be more aggressive in 2008 because he would be pissed off but he has done more than that. He has been fast every week, consistent, good at the starts and hungrier. His team-mate De Dycker has been fitter and stronger. I have to say also my team-mate, David. I never expected him to be so strong for so long’.
With 40 riders on the gate, paid entry for those riders, a qualification race on Saturday and more overseas GPs coming up the short-term future of world championship racing is changing a little bit. What do you think of the picture for 2009 and beyond?
‘First of all I was a bit disappointed to see the age limit (23 years) come into MX2 for 2010. I think we should be adopting more of a US system where the guys can point-out and after two seasons can go back. I don’t think it is fair to say that a rider cannot go back to racing a 250 or smaller bike; it will hurt some guys. The race on Saturday for qualification is not a bad idea and I am quite looking forward to that but 40 on the gate could be dodgy. It was decided that 40 on the gate was too many a few years ago and the last ten guys on the line were getting lapped too early and were too slow’.
Header photo: Josh Coppins Yamaha Monster Energy Racing Team. Interview from Yamaha Racing in 2008.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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