Nicolas Aubin wins first Grand Prix; Kevin Strijbos wins MX1; No points for Coppins - Frenchman Nicolas Aubin won his first Grand Prix on Sunday, July 2, 2007 by trading moto scores with Antonio Cairoli to win the Grand Prix of Czech Republic. While the commanding MX2 World Championship points leader scored equal points to Aubin, it was Aubin’s second mot win which broke the tie. Third overall in Czechoslovakia was Red Bull KTM pilot Tommy Searle, who rode to consistent 3-3 moto finishes.

In the first MX 2 moto, it was the Italian Cairoli immediately finding his way to the front, racing away to an easy moto win. The second MX2 race was a different story, though, with Nicolas Aubin taking the measure of Cairoli. To his credit, Cairoli did chip away at Aubin’s 10-second lead, coming up just short at the finish line. But it was too little too late, and Aubin found himself atop the podium for the first time in his career.

“Winning the first GP is very important,” beamed Aubin after the race was run. “I want to thank the whole team for this. So many people helped me. In the first moto it was hard to get close to Antonio and I got arm pump, so the second was all I could hope for. I was looking forward to the second moto and I got a good start. I was lucky in the second moto as I found myself leading with a good advantage. I tried to increase it, but Antonio came back to me, he pushed me hard. When he came onto my tail I was feeling pressure and I tried to stop thinking about it. My condition and the bike is now perfect and I hope for more podium finishes.”

Added a gracious Antonio Cairoli during the post-race press conference. “I want to congratulate Nicolas. I pushed so hard to come back to him. The last lap was good. It was a good race for the championship and my hand is not 100%. I tried to ride clever, but when you are first you don't push too hard.”

Team Suzuki rider Kevin Strijbos dominated the MX1 class, dominating the Grand Prix with a 1-1 overall. Sebastien Pourcel was second overall with a 6-1 motos. 2-9 heat finishes allowed David Philippaerts to claim third spot on the podium. Sunday at the Grand Prix of Czech Republic was day that current MX1 series leader Josh Coppins would much rather forget. Having left the GP with zero points, Coppins just couldn’t get it together in Czechoslovakia, experiencing bad luck in the opening moto, then crashing out of the second moto. Still, he leads the 2007 MX World Championship points standings with 445 points to Steve Ramon’s 368 points.

“It was pretty hard and the rain didn't help,” said Strijbos of his victory, which in some ways was bittersweet as he was informed that he will not be a part of his present team in 2008. “The track was tough, but the bike was good and I didn't have any problems all weekend. The feeling of winning here is the same as in was 2005. I don't know why I win here, but I just want to win more. I will not be with the team I ride for now next year, their is a problem in the team, bit I still really want to win the next Grand Prix at Namur."