KEY POINTS:
After just over 10 years of battling to win the world MX1 title, through no fault of his own Kiwi Josh Coppins is behind the eight ball again.
Looking a hot favourite to finally get that elusive world title in 2008, Coppins again was involved in a freak accident just as the season started and has struggled for fitness in the opening six rounds. There is a chance this weekend's race in France could make or break his title bid, as he needs to get wins under his belt.
Despite a steady start to the series, Coppins is now 55 points behind the leader, and his teammate David Philippaerets, and sits fourth on the table.
"It was a terrible day at the British Grand Prix and I'm disappointed," said Coppins. "Realistically I need to qualify better to get a better start but I was unlucky. I just need to keep working.
"I'm a little happier with my riding now than with the past races but disappointed because the results don't show it."
Regarded by his fellow riders as the best motocross rider to have never won a world title, it's far too early to write Coppins off, but he needs to get back the form he showed in early 2007 to stop Philippaerets running away with the title.
Another of our Kiwi motocross riders is also battling through injury in an attempt to win a world title. Katherine Prumm is fighting the pain of a torn ACL to stay close to FIM Women's world motocross championship leader Livia Lancelot. Prumm is handily poised just two points behind Lancelot and expects to overtake her this weekend in France.
"I've got a pretty high pain threshold and just block it out," said Prumm. Frenchwoman Lancelot will be relying on home advantage but that has never affected Prumm who'll have one eye on Stefi Laier, who won both races in Italy last time out.
