Coppins scores another podium.

The sixth round of the World Motocross Championship took place Sunday in Austria where Joshua Coppins took his ninth consecutive podium for the Team Vismara Honda, after a race long battle with Pichon and Crockard. In the 500cc GP, Pit Beirer made his debut on a Honda CR 450 F machine, while Andrea Bartolini returned to action after injury. He heroically rode to record a 13th place after a brilliant start.

Under bright skies and glimpses of sunshine, the Grand Prix of Austria was staged yesterday at the modern circuit of Karntenring. The race day started with the 250c race, once again the two riders of Team Vismara Honda reacted well at the start, a hole shot from Beirer with his team mate Coppins by his side at the first turn. Beirer recorded his fourth consecutive hole shot, he was followed by Coppins and Crockard as the field sped away. Pichon made a good recovery a poor start, he was left mid pack but came through to take the win ahead of Crockard, who returned to form after a run of bad results. In the two final corners Coppins missed his chance at second place on the podium forced to slow down for a double jump after making a late challenge on Crockard.

In the 500cc race, there were two red machines from Vismara Honda on the start line, Andrea Bartolini took off like a rocket into the third place on the opening lap, while Beirer was forced to brake to avoid contact with Bervoets. The German ace had good rhythm and soon recovered to charge from 17th to 6th position at the chequered flag. Bartolini, produced a heroic ride struggling with a badly swollen right hand, the size of an apple, he slipped to 13th position which still rewarded him with eight championship points. With sight of the chequered flag, Stefan Everts stole the win from Yves Demaria to record his third win of the season.

"I am a little disappointed that I didn't take second position on the podium, I feel that that was a realistic possibility for me," said Coppins. "Unfortunately I never quite found the speed of the previous GPs the ground was very bumpy and rutted which prevented me from maintaining a god and constant rhythm. I once again started very well in the first turn, I immediately passed Pit to take the lead, but was forced to settle for third position on this type of ground, which was technical and didnt allow you to relax for the entire lap. "

"For me this has undoubtedly been a good day," said Beirer. "In 250cc after a fantastic start, I grabbed the hole shot but then I suffered with a lack of confidence while in third position, I was uncertain about the some instability on the bike coming from the front-axle assembly. In 500cc race I started very bad but found that I had special strengths which gave me good rhythm and helped me move up to 6th position in turn passing Bartolini who I could see was struggling with his injury. I took sixth position on a standard motor cycle, which everyone will admit is a great result.

Andrea BARTOLINI (Vismara Honda CRF 450 #21) 13th position 500cc class at 1'37780 behind S. Everts
"Yesterday until lunch time I was feeling demoralised from the pain in my hand and from an uncomfortable night," said Bartolini. "I honestly expected to able to manage only two or three turns but as I made a great start and was lying fifth it gave me motivation and all thoughts about retiring disappeared. I knew that with this great start it was my only chance, it proved an opportunity to salvage something from the weekend. I spent five laps in 5th position but I couldnt do the long jumps and the track became very bumpy. It was impossible to relax and I was struggling to make it to the finish. I scored eight points which made the weekend worth while.

Results GP of Austria - Round 6 FIM Motocross World Championship:

500cc

1. Everts (Yamaha/Bel) 19 laps;
2. Demaria (KTM/Fra) +0342;
3. Garcia Vico (KTM/Spa) +22767;
6. Beirer (Vismara Honda/Ger) +110824;
13 Bartolini (Vismara Honda/Ita) +137780.

250cc

1. Pichon (Suzuki/Fra) 19 laps;
2. Crockard (KTM/Irl) +3577;
3. Coppins (Vismara Honda/Nzl) +4406;
4. Beirer (Vismara Honda/Ger) +39508.

World Championship Classification:

500cc

1. Everts 137 Points;
2. Bervoets 114;
3. Garcia Vico 106;
4. Demaria 87;
5. Smets 85;
6. Bartolini 84.

250cc

1. Pichon 138 Points;
2. Coppins 116;
3. Beirer 108.