Josh Coppins is uncertain at this point as to who would be the right rider to fill his position at CDR Yamaha. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

With Josh Coppins’ recent announcement to retire at the end of the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals series, an important position will be opening up under the CDR Yamaha tent and even The Lizard himself is not certain who would be an ideal replacement.

Coppins has not yet closely considered who could replace him at Yamaha, but so far he is favouring youth instead of experience when it comes to CDR’s future.

The former world number two considers Jay Marmont to be the rider most similar to him, but doubts that he’d return after a well publicised split at the end of 2011. Instead, the Kiwi has envisions a rebuilding year of sorts as team ownder Craig Dack scouts the next rising talent.

“That’s a real tough question at the moment, because from my side it’s very hard to choose,” Coppins told MotoOnline. “I’m kind of in my own little world, I only concentrate on myself and don’t look at the other riders and just tend to focus on what I need to do.

“I think I sort of need to step outside of my racing world and put a different hat on and look at the riders in a different way, but obviously Todd stands out and Lawson as well. But to replace me? I always tell Dacka that I’m irreplaceable and that it’s going to be hard [laughs], just joking sort of thing.

“But I guess Jay and I were pretty similar, because we were both driven and both wanted to win. So I think to say who would replace me in the same sort of light as me, would be Jay, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

“I think we need to have a bit of a regrouping time at Yamaha and start again. I think Dacka is one of the only guys that can do that, as his results have shown in the last five or six seasons. I think he can bring on some riders to do some great things, just like he’s done with Lawson [Bopping].

“I don’t think he’s looking to replace me, I think he’s looking to consolidate and rebuild.”

Potential candidates for Coppins’ seat alongside Bopping, who is almost certain to re-sign, could include the signing of further up and coming local talent in Todd Waters, Luke Styke or Tye Simmonds – to name a few.

Stay tuned to MotoOnline.com.au for any developments in the search for a new recruit to place underneath the big blue awning.