Coppins back in the groove

From Yamaha Racing

Yamaha Monster Motocross Team's Josh Coppins is ready to lift his push for the 2008 MX1-GP World Championship up a gear this weekend at Bellpuig for the Grand Prix of Spain and the second round of the series after almost two weeks of training and further recuperation from his broken toes.

The New Zealander has spent 10 days at the home of former World Champion Jacky Vimond in the south west of France and has been clocking up track kilometres that he desperately missed in the wake of his injury several weeks before the start of the GP campaign in Holland.

Coppins took a brave sixth position at Valkenswaard.

"I have ridden more in these past two weeks than the five before Valkenswaard. It has been really helpful both physically and mentally. I felt that I was not prepared at all for Holland but now I am actually looking forward to going to Spain," said the 31-year-old, who dominated both motos at a rain-hit 2007 Spanish Grand Prix. "My foot has been getting better and even though I have not been able to run or swim yet we are now at a point where I do not need to wear a special boot when I'm on the bike."

Meanwhile teammate David Philippaerts -- after recovering from a cold -- was trying to squeeze in riding sessions back at his home near Milan but constant showers across northern Italy did not assist his cause. The 24-year-old captured fifth position on his debut with the YZ450F in the sand of Valkenswaard and now heads to several circuits that are a little more to his taste.

Bellpuig, close to the city of Lleida in the west of Catalunya, in the north-east region of Spain, has been the traditional home of the Grand Prix since the turn of the century. The hillside setting involves some steep and spectacular set-ups/downs and can offer a fast layout when dry. The forecast for the weekend predicts overcast skies although decent temperatures with a maximum of 23 degrees.