KEY POINTS:
New Zealander Josh Coppins' world MX1 motocross championship lead has been cut to just 12 points after this morning's (NZtime) Northern Ireland Grand Prix at Moneyglass Demesne.
Suzuki rival, Steve Ramon, of Belgium, is now 12 points from Coppins despite finishing fifth overall in Northern Ireland.
The round was won by another Belgian, Kevin Strijbos on a Suzuki.
Coppins, who suffered a bad shoulder injury at the Czech Grand Prix has missed the last two rounds, watching his lead of over 100 points gobbled up. He is on 445 points with Ramon at 433 and France's Sebastien Pourcel third on 400.
Coppins is aiming to resume racing in the penultimate round at Donington Park in England on Aug 26.
The final round is at Lierop in the Netherlands.
- NZPA
