Coppins and Beirer side-by-side on podium.

Vismara Honda's Josh Coppins took second place in today's Italian Grand Prix, consolidating his second place overall in the world championship behind grand prix victor and reigning champion Mickael Pichon.

Coppins was knocked down by Gordon Crockard (KTM) on the opening lap, but put in a remarkable ride to claw his way back through the field. Managing to keep the bike running, he charged from 13th position to pass his Honda team-mate Pit Beirer on the last lap. Coppins extended his championship lead over Beirer to six points after round five of the twelve rounds, as the German finished in third place to give Honda two out of the three podium positions.

The Italian Grand Prix at Castiglione del Lago, south of Florence in Umbria was staged on a baked hard circuit, one of the most spectacular in the championship, and the home GP of the Vismara squad, based a little over an hour's drive away.

It was a good day for the Honda pairing of Beirer and Coppins, Beirer launched himself off the start line and raced into the very tight right-handed first turn to snatch the lead.

"I made a great start, first into the corner, I got the jump and came out leading, it couldn't have been better, " the German said, " Pichon tried to pass me but I took him right back - we touched later but I am sure he was okay about that."

Beirer led for six laps before losing out to Pichon.

"I knew Mickael would come, he has so much speed, it was nice just to enjoy leading the race," he explained, "When Pichon passed me, I lost my concentration - I tried to copy his line but, instead of going faster, I think I lost about a second per lap. I lost the race in the middle ground, my times were slower and finally Josh was faster and passed me to take second. I was happy with third position, as the team has two riders on the podium and we are the same in the championship standing.

"For ten years now, I have been told just to ride consistently, I have started to listen and it is true, sometimes I am faster than Josh - like in France - but then I crashed. I know I have to race within my limits, take a long term look at the season and plan my race, instead of going wide open and throwing it all away as I have done in the past."

Coppins made a remarkable recovery, having also made a great start to be third into the first turn, where he was knocked off.

"It was certainly a tough race and, when I came round after one lap to see a pit-board saying 13th place, I knew that, to make the podium, I had to pass one rider per lap," he explained, "The race laps were very fast, and I doubted whether I'd be making the podium this week. After a few more laps, I figured I had to just put my head down and concentrate on riding fast, gradually overhauling the riders one by one."

By lap six of twenty, Coppins had moved to eighth position with very consistent lap times.

"I didn't get any faster as the race wore on, just the other riders started to get tired. " he said, "I was riding well - as soon as I set my sights on a rider I could pass him immediately, and I made steady progress."

As the race entered its final few laps, Coppins was still ten seconds adrift of Beirer with two laps to go, but he repeated his performance of recent weeks and hauled in the German to rob him if second.

"Pit was riding well but, clearly, he was tired by this stage," the Kiwi said, "He was riding out to every berm, but they were finished and he was losing time. I saw a gap, made the pass and was unable to make come back at me.

"I'm not thinking about the points, I'm just taking the races as they come and looking to win a grand prix very soon, my speed is now very close to that of Pichon. I am happy with the race machine, the team have done a great job and I am glad that Pit and I could reward them of a double podium, it would have been better to win for them at their home GP, but I am sure they will still celebrate."