Team CAS Honda rider Joshua Coppins won the first International MX in Pernes les Fontaine, France. Riding with a good speed in the dry and slick French track, the New Zealander captured his first victory of this season. He dominated the three Motos with a 3-1-1 score.”As always for the first race of the season, I got arm pump in the opening Moto,” Coppins said after the race. “I like this kind of surface and I’d like to race more GP’s on hardpack but unfortunately there’s less and less in the calendar. Today we proved that I and my Honda are both ready for the GP’s, but we have some more testing and others races before the opening GP in Zolder.”Former motocross World Champion, Joel Smets rode very consistent, earning second overall with 2-2-4 finishes. The Belgian factory Suzuki rider said, “Last weekend I had a terrible headache and I didn’t race the International MX in Valence, but today I felt much better. We are using a 2004 bike, but we already tested some new parts on it and I’m confident for the season.”Third overall went to Swiss rider Julien Bill with his 7-4-3.American teenager Mike Alessi finished fourth and missed the podium after a good show-up in Pernes. Aboard a KTM 450 SX, Alessi got fifth twice but fought for the win in the second Moto, finishing third behind Coppins and Smets. The young KTM rider said, “It’s was a really good experience—the GP riders are really fast and I learned a lot today, for sure this experience will help me in the future. I like racing in France, the fans are nice and people are very enthusiastic.”
No such luck for Mickael Pichon. After winning Moto1, the Honda Martin rider crashed out of Moto2 and missed the last race with a wrist injury. Ben Townley suffered bad luck as well—he was sidelined in Moto1 by mechanical problems. He finished seventh after a bad start in Moto2 and couldn’t get his rhythm in Moto3 and had to settle for sixth.”The track was surprisingly difficult for me today,” Townley said post-race. “It’s really hard and slippery and I just couldn’t go fast. I’m heading back to Belgium tonight and will start training in the sand—that should help me prepare for the first GP in the sandy Zolder track.”OVERALL:
1. Joshua Coppins, 70 pts
2. Joel Smets, 62
3. Julien Bill, 52
4. Mike Alessi, 52
5. Antoine Méo, 40
6. Leok Aigar, 34
7. Pascal Leuret, 30
8. Ben Townley, 29
9. Boissiére, 28
10. Delepierre, 27
| MOTO 1 1. Mickael Pichon Honda 2. Joel Smets Suzuki 3. Josh Coppins Honda 4. Antoine Meo Husqvarna 5. Mike Alessi KTM |
MOTO 2 1. Josh Coppins Honda 2. Joel Smets Suzuki 3. Mike Alessi KTM 4. Julian Bill KTM 5. Pascal Leuret Honda |
MOTO 3 1. Josh Coppins Honda 2. Antoine Meo Husqvarna 3. Julian Bill KTM 4. Joel Smets Suzuki 5. Mike Alessi KTM |
No such luck for Mickael Pichon. After winning Moto1, the Honda Martin rider crashed out of Moto2 and missed the last race with a wrist injury. Ben Townley suffered bad luck as well—he was sidelined in Moto1 by mechanical problems. He finished seventh after a bad start in Moto2 and couldn’t get his rhythm in Moto3 and had to settle for sixth.”The track was surprisingly difficult for me today,” Townley said post-race. “It’s really hard and slippery and I just couldn’t go fast. I’m heading back to Belgium tonight and will start training in the sand—that should help me prepare for the first GP in the sandy Zolder track.”OVERALL:
1. Joshua Coppins, 70 pts
2. Joel Smets, 62
3. Julien Bill, 52
4. Mike Alessi, 52
5. Antoine Méo, 40
6. Leok Aigar, 34
7. Pascal Leuret, 30
8. Ben Townley, 29
9. Boissiére, 28
10. Delepierre, 27
