Coppins: No need for Pichon to take me out.

Honda Europe rider Joshua Coppins looked like taking his first Grand Prix win of the season at the Russian Grand Prix on Sunday, but a controversial mid race collision with World Champion Mickael Pichon ended his hopes.

Poler sitter Coppins had looked to have the upper hand on Frenchman Pichon after powering out of the gate to grab the hole shot during Sunday's 35 minute plus two lap race. He led for three laps before Pichon moved to the front.

"I ran out of the track and had some marker tape caught in my rear brake, I tried to burn it out, once it had melted I came back at Pichon something I don't think he was expecting. " said Coppins who had mixed feeling about the race. " Part of me was telling me to ride with safety, I really thought I was stronger both mentally and physically that Pichon so in the end I thought to hell with safety and decided to go for the win."

Within a few laps Coppins was right on the wheel of Pichon and the pair exchanged the lead several times, the Kiwi moved ahead of his former team mate for the second time but as the two crested a tabletop jump after a tight corner Pichon cut across and took out the front wheel of Coppins 250cc Honda.

"We had a few metres between us, there was no need for him to cut across me like that, he just took my wheel and down I went," said the disgruntled Kiwi who remounted quickly on the uphill section. Fortunately the pair had been pushing hard and had a big lead over 3rd placed Kenneth Gundersen.

"(After the crash) the bike felt strange, I thought the front wheel was damaged or the brake disc twisted, the front of the bike was making some strange actions, it was in fact the front mudguard catching the exhaust pipe which had been knocked upwards. I didn't want the front wheel smashing to pieces on landing so it took me a few laps to get my confidence back in the bike and push on for 2nd," admitted Coppins, who will ride for CAS Honda next year.

Nevertheless, with 22 points from his second place he confirmed second position in the quarter litre category to finish ahead of Vismara Honda's Pit Beirer.