Kiwi Josh Coppins was sixth in South Australia on Sunday. Image: Alex Gobert.

New Zealander Josh Coppins is determined to boost himself back into the Pro Open series lead after losing the red plate in last weekend’s South Australian round of the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals.

The 34-year-old grand prix veteran finished sixth overall at Murray Bridge after scoring 2-4-2-DNF results on Sunday, a crash in the first turn ruling him out of the race with bike damage and a knock to the head in the impact.

“I felt like I was going pretty good and all I need to get a race win was a decent start,” the CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha rider reflected. “In the last race, I focused on the start, but came together with a few riders entering the first turn and before I knew it I was on the ground.

“I took a pretty hard hit to the head, but everything else feels okay. I’m sure I will be right to go for the Toowoomba round and we can get back after winning this championship.”

Coppins now sits second in the championship behind Kawasaki’s Dean Ferris, who has a nine-point advantage after four of nine rounds.