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crossed the finish line to win the second MX I rnoto, and the overall. "T his is the best day of my life," Townley said. "To see Josh win and also win myself, you couldn't ask for more. It's good to be a Kiwi today. 1had a great race with [Stephen] Sword in the second moto and really enjoyed the racing and crowd today. You know Josh is somebody I look up to , as a rider and as a person, to see him finally get his first Grand Prix victory is so sweet." The British Grand Prix proved to be a huge success for Coppins. Having been seriously injured in America two years ago while preparing for the Grand Prix season, th e Kiwi looked like he would never race again. Yet with determination he fought back from ankle and back injuries and turned it all around. The GP veteran produced his own piece of magic when he won his team's home Grand Prix, with a very consistent 2-1 result. Coppins, who had finished second in something like 20 GPs in the past, was emotional after his victory. " I had a good feeling all weekend," Coppins said. "After the first moto I knew I had a good chance. I've had so many second places, too many to remember. I don't know what to say - it has taken far too long . To get th is win is great, really good for me, and the team. The last two laps of the Grand Prix were really tough, I was very nervous, and I didn't want to lo o k behind . I just knew I had to keep my lines so Pichon couldn't get past me." The opening moto of the MX I class saw Pichon take the holeshot and lead all the way to the finish. Wit h hardly any competition the Fre nchman cruised to victory. Back in the pac k, though, the action was int e nse . Coppins, Stefan Everts and Cedric Melotte fought for the other podium positions. Coppins eventually made a break from Everts to claim second place, and he even pulled close to Pichon as the race reached the end. In the second rnoto, Steve Ramon led early; however, the KTM rider made a mistake and crashed, handing the lead to Pichon . With Coppins on his back wheel, the French ride r remained focused, even though Coppins pushed past him on lap 10 and at first pulled slightly away, the French rider, Pichon, came back. With two laps remaining it looked like the for mer World Champion would get the victory. Coppins knew that the last moto of the day was go ing to be tough but produced nerves of steel to keep the Frenchman off his bac k. The fast pace of t he se con d rnoto also proved ad vantageous to Coppins, as Pichon began to struggle. " Picho n d idn't have good line s in the second moto ," Coppins said. " I could pass him and lead easily. I want to thank my mechanic Fab io. He 's been fantastic. I've been up and do w n and bac k down again, but it's nice to win my first Grand Prix. I ke pt thin king I had to wi n one of these ;Brief'Y··· I The return of the British Grand Prix proved to be an important part of the development of the Grand Prix series, and the riders were aware of that fact. Stefan Everts, who has always enjoyed racing in England, gave his feelingof the return to England. "It's been a pity that Englandwas not on the calendar the last few years. We have to come back to England, and it's an important market for the Motocross series . The crowds are always good for the British Gp, this is like the second Foxhill, and the atmosphere was just great." Josh Coppins was happy to be back. The CAS Honda rider had struggled in the pre vious Grand Prix but knew his time would come. "I've made bad mistakes in previous GPs, and I think I am getting back to my form,' Coppins said. "Now I just want to be on the podium as much as possible and try and keep with Stefan in the points. I need to make some things happen." As for a celebration, the New Zealander is not known as a party guy, although he wasn't about to miss this opportunity to rejoice in his greatest moment in a career that began some nine years ago. "I had to do the doping control after the race," Coppins said. "My ferry trip back to the mainland of Englandwas booked for 7 p.m., but I think I will stay on the Islandand enjoy this. Ben Townleyalso winning means we have a big night ahead of us. We will celebrate a little, plus we have some New Zealand friends over here for the race." The circuit in England was very technical, and many thought it was similar to an American.style track. What was good to see was that not only was the circuit in a brilliant part of England,with rolling hills and good natural terrain sections, but it was we ll prepped, with the dirt being turned over after each race, leavingmany lines for the riders. Huge ruts remained in some corners, and by the end of the weekend it was very rough. American rider Jeff Dement had a big crash on Saturday. During his qualification race Dement went down and did not contest the Sunday program. Japan National Champion Ak,ra Narita finished fifth in the MX2 class. Two riders celebrated their birthdays around the time of the BritishGrand Prix. Australian Andrew McFarlane turned 26 years old on Sunday, and Estonion Tanel Leak turned 19 on the Monday after the GP. Leok produced two brilliant fifth-place finishes in the two MXI races, while McFarlane scored a fourth place in the open ing MX2 rnoto, then backed that up w ith a ninth place in mota two. Ben Townley ment ioned his hope that James Stewart will race the Motocross des Nations this year. The KTM factory rider is excited at the idea of racing the rider many say is the fastest motocrosser in the world . "Everyone has said he's quick, and I would love to get the chance to race him," Townley said. "I think he's human, and I don't see why I couldn't race with him. I think it would be fun." www.cyclenews.com CYCLE NEWS • JUNE 9, 2004 39

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