To call Josh Coppins luckless would be an understatement. Three times in his career he’s been on track to clinch a major motocross title, only to have victory snatched away at the last minute by injury.

At Coolum’s final round of the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals at the end of last month, Coppins had an 18-point lead entering the round. After trading wins with teammate Jay Marmont in motos one and two, that lead remained the same with just two motos to go.

That’s when it all turned pear-shaped for the likable 34-year-old, forced out of contention for the round and championship in a crushing first turn crash at the start of moto three with title rival Dean Ferris.

Since the interview has taken place, Coppins has headed to Europe to get surgery on his injured right shoulder and has his sights firmly set on a big year to come in 2012. We can’t wait to see him back.

Kiwi Josh Coppins lead the MX Nationals title into Coolum, ultimately finishing second in the series. Image: Alex Gobert.

Josh, it’s a sad case of so close, yet so far in the end. What happened in that crash in the first turn?

Ah, I was up there probably about third or fourth and Dean just lost the front going into the first turn and I just hit his bike.

I sort of cartwheeled and landed pretty hard on my head and shoulder, so I’ve done my shoulder in.

I’ve torn the labrum, which I also did earlier in my career, so it’s surgery now I guess and a holiday.

What was going through your mind as you walked off the track to see RACESAFE? Were you considering racing in moto four or was it a case of just trying to get healthy again?

Nah, I wasn’t really thinking of moto four but they got my shoulder back in, got me strapped up and sent me back to the line. As soon as I got back on the bike it sort of dislocated again and that was it.

I just thought we were all done by then, you know? Even if I could have ridden Jay would have beaten me because I was pretty sore. I had second in the bag, so it didn’t really make sense.

It’s obviously disappointing, but as we all know being around this sport, the highs are high and the lows are low. I reckon I’m going to win the lotto one day.

This is the third championship that something has happened while I’ve been leading.

In the New Zealand Championship this year I blew my ankle out while I was leading, did my shoulder today in Australia and obviously the world championship when I had the big lead was what really frustrated me.

Like I said, that’s life – I have an amazing family, so things aren’t all bad. I think I’ll come back next year hopefully and go one better.

Coppins has proven a class act all season long as teammate to Marmont at CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha. Image: Alex Gobert.

You’ve had an amazing season though, a lot of round and race wins, so will we see you back next year?

Yeah, I think so. I think we could have been better this year. We had some issues, so it was a bit disappointing. My form wasn’t really there consistently like I wanted it to be, so that was disappointing.

But at the same time, when I was good, I was good. So yeah, that’s life and we’ll come back next year hopefully and go one better. That would have to be the plan anyway.

Okay well thanks for the time and congratulations on a great season despite the finish, it’s been excellent for Australian racing to have you here full time.

Thank you, I really appreciate it.

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