The sixth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship will take place next weekendat the Sugo circuit for the Grand Prix of Japan. For the third time this century and the
third season in succession, Yamaha’s elite crew of MX1 and MX2 racers will head to the
impressive and popular venue close to the city of Sendai. Importantly, the firm enter
their home event holding the lead in the Rider’s and Manufacturer’s standings of both
classes and will defend an unbeaten record at Sugo.
Yamaha Motocross Team’s Josh Coppins currently enjoys a 43 point advantage in the
MX1 classification. With one third of the fifteen race series already completed Coppins
has forged a strong and notable start to his career as a Yamaha rider by guiding the
Rinaldi-tuned works YZ450FM to three Grand Prix wins and seven moto triumphs from
ten. He travels to Japan knowing that the Italian squad have tasted oriental victory in
2004 and 2005. “Of course I would love to win for Yamaha at their home GP and that
is another goal of mine this season,” said the 30 year old title favourite, who’s lowest
finish this year has been a sixth position.
The New Zealander missed the 2006 edition of the race through injury but finished
fourth in 2005 after taking part in a classic five rider scrap. “I like the track a lot,” he
continued. “I have only been once but had a pretty good result there. I like how it is
pretty rough, technical and jumpy. The terrain is also interesting. I am also fond of
Japan, when you have to travel so far it helps that you like the actual country. I enjoy
taking in the countryside and somehow I feel very safe when I am there. The people
are so polite and very helpful.”
Coppins, along with the Rinaldis and team-mate Marc de Reuver, will visit the Yamaha
Motor Co (YMC) factory at Hamamatsu in the days leading up to the GP. “I am really
looking forward to that,” he added. “As I get towards the later stages of my career I
am starting to appreciate a lot more the history of our sport and places like Yamaha
with their museum for motorsport. I am keen to see their old world championship
bikes in both road racing and motocross. I have never actually been to a factory
before so I am looking forward to meeting the bosses and the guys responsible for
the bikes. It will be nice also to see how the work and the testing that I do filter
through to the production machines.”The Sugo circuit has won rave reviews for not only its challenging layout but the care
and attention directed to the soil that quickly becomes bumpy, rutted and technical.
Marc de Reuver, who was third in the MX2 class there twelve months ago, is one of
the many fans among the riding fraternity. “I always prefer tracks that are not rock
hard and Sugo is nice to ride,” the charismatic Dutchman said. “It has big braking
bumps, which is good for sand riders because we can play a little bit with the bike
going into the corners. The layout is not too fast and the jumps are enjoyable.”
The 24 year old has had a tough baptism to the MX1 class but top three moto results
in Holland, Italy and Germany indicate there is more to come from De Reuver and a
maiden overall podium is around the corner. “For sure MX1 is different from what I
expected,” he revealed. “As an MX2 rider you look at them and you think, ‘they are
not a lot faster and not as aggressive’ but now that Stefan Everts has gone it seems
that everyone sees the big prize. That second moto in Valkenswaard, only my second
race, was so crazy. Mantova also, people were attacking, passing and really going for
it, which I had not seen before. It seems like I am still in MX2! From the first to
the last lap they push. MX1 is hard, especially physically.”
Team Manager Carlo Rinaldi is relishing the chance for his new rider line-up to show
YMC staff first-hand the fruits of their efforts on the factory floor. “I enjoy going to
Japan first of all because we like the nice and kind cooperation from Yamaha and
secondly because we love the track,” he remarked. “We have always taken good
results there. The dirt and the layout are excellent and we have seen some great
races. I think Josh will have some pressure but he has proved to us so far that he
manages under those kinds of conditions. I believe that racing in Japan will give him
an extra boost.”
“Visiting the factory will be something different for us and an added treat on our trip,”
he added. “I honestly have never been to YMC so it will be interesting for me and the
riders also.” click on ozzy go to the full story on MCNEWS.COM.AU
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