Image: Andy McGechan/BikesportNZ.com.

CDR Yamaha has concluded a private test with former world championship runner-up and 2012 MX Nationals champion Josh Coppins at Broadford this afternoon, advancing the Victorian-based team’s YZ450F development into 2015.

Since his retirement at the close of the 2012 season when he won the title for the Craig Dack-owned factory MX1 operation, Coppins has unofficially been CDR Yamaha’s development rider in association with his New Zealand-based Altherm JCR Yamaha outfit.

Coppins – pictured in NZ earlier this season – has been involved in numerous tests with CDR since he hung up the helmet and remains active on the bike. This latest test was an opportunity to provide feedback on CDR Yamaha’s direction with the current YZ450F into next year.

“For 2015 we are testing quite a bit of advanced stuff on the bike and it was very successful – Josh was really impressed,” Dack told MotoOnline.com.au. “We are developing a number of new parts, suspension components and engine updates getting ready for next year. He still rides really, really well too, so it was a really positive day.”

Coppins will attend the Raymond Terrace round of the MX Nationals this weekend, with meetings scheduled to discuss CDR and JCR’s rider-share program that has previously seen Billy Mackenzie contest the NZ series with JCR in the lead-up to the Australian outdoors.

“Josh will also be at Raymond Terrace as his JCR team shares riders with us in the NZ championships,” Dack added. “It’s an opportunity to discuss CDR and Josh’s team’s alliance with Yamaha and make plans for the future to see what will work best for all of us involved.”

Mackenzie and newcomer Jacob Wright will spearhead CDR Yamaha’s program at Raymond Terrace this Sunday, 3 August, with Jay Marmont sidelined due to a wrist injury.