KEY POINTS:
New Zealand motocross rider Josh Coppins jumped back to third overall in the world MX1 championship after two second placings behind local star Sebastien Pourcel in the French grand prix at the weekend.
His impressive rides in France left the Yamaha rider just 19 points behind Rinaldi Yamaha teammate David Philippaerts of Italy who leads with 231 points.
Coppins is 13 points behind second-placed Belgian Yamaha rider, Steve Ramon (225 points) after seven of the 16 rounds.
He had dropped back to fourth after the previous leg, the British grand prix two weeks ago, when he was 11th overall, while struggling with fitness following a training accident which resulted in him suffering two broken toes.
However, the weekend's rides in France had some commentators predicting he would make a serious bid for the title.
About 30,000 spectators witnessed local hero Pourcel winning after starting ninth on the grid.
Series leader Philippaerts had a bad day and finished 18th.
In the first race Ramon took an early lead but crashed and left Coppins alone at the top.
The New Zealander maintained the lead until the final lap when he made a mistake and let Pourcel by to win.
Pourcel dominated the second race.
- NZPA
