KEY POINTS:
New Zealand rider Josh Coppins, riding with two broken toes, has finished sixth at the opening round of the world MX1 motocross championships in the Netherlands.
Coppins, racing just two weeks after surgery to repair two broken toes on his right foot, finished sixth and seventh in the two heats at the demanding Valkenswaard sand circuit this morning (NZ time).
The Motueka rider could have got a better result if his teammate David Philippaerts had not taken him out while trying a pass in the first race when Coppins was third.
Coppins managed to restart his bike and finish sixth.
With track conditions deteriorating lap by lap in the second heat, Coppins settled into seventh which he held to the end.
"This weekend was just damage control really and I rode the best I could within the pain, trying not to damage the foot at all," Coppins said.
"I'm sitting in sixth overall now, whereas two weeks ago, I was looking at the bones sticking out of my toes so I'm happy with the position I am in.
"I have the stitches removed from my toes tomorrow and then I plan to get some more time on the bike later in the week.
"Hopefully I'll be able to build back some strength for Spain and aim to be strong in Portugal."
Suzuki rider Ken de Dycker of Belgium won both heats to take the maximum 50 points from the weekend and lead the championship. Coppins has 29.
The next round will be at the Bellpuig circuit in Spain, April 19-20.
Netherlands MX1 GP results:
Race 1: Ken de Dycker, (Belgium, Suzuki) 1, Maximilian Nagl (Germany, KTM) 2, Steve Ramon, (Belgium, Suzuki) 3, David Philippaerts (Italy, Yamaha) 4, Manuel Priem (Belgium, Kawasaki) 5, JOSH COPPINS (NZ, Yamaha) 6, Kevin Strijbos (Belgium, Kawasaki) 7, Marc de Reuver (Netherlands, Honda) 8, Kornel Nemeth (Hungary, KTM) 9, Billy Mackenzie (Britain, Honda) 10.
Race 2: de Dycker 1, Mackenzie 2, Jonathan Barragan (Spain, KTM) 3, Ramon 4, Nagl 5, Philippaerts 6, COPPINS 7, Manuel Priem (Belgium, Kawasaki) 8, Nemeth 9, Aigar Leok (Estonia, Yamaha) 10.
MX1 Standings: de Dycker 50 points 1, Nagl 38 2, Ramon 38 3, Mackenzie 33 4, Philippaerts 33 5, COPPINS 29 6, Priem 29 7, Nemeth 24 8, Strijbos 21 9, Barragan 20 10.
- NZPA
