Coppins and Cairoli win Grand Prix Sevlievo Bulgaria - Rinaldi Yamaha rider Josh Coppins continued to display why he is the man to beat in the 2007 MX World Motocross Championship by winning the Grand Prix of Bulgaria over Steve Ramon and Jonathan Barragan.

The opening moto in the MX1 classification witnessed Spaniard Jonathan Barragan claiming the win over Josh Coppins. Coppins then came back to win the second moto over Steve Ramon and third place man David Philippaerts. Moto one winner Barragan placed a distant fifth.

“The first race was okay, I started well and raced with Steve Ramon and David Philippaerts,” remarked Coppins in the post-race press conference. “Jonathan Barragan was too fast in the first race. I closed on him a little and then I made a mistake and hurt my back and hurt my crotch and slowed down for second. In race number two, I started better and I passed Mike Brown and I felt good. I wanted to show I was strong in the second heat and I put some solid laps and was leading by 10 seconds at the end of the race. It wasn't an easy weekend, but I now have a 97 point lead in the World Championship, so that is great.”

In the MX2 division, it was more of the same as Yamaha’s Antonio Cairoli continued to display the same speed and determination that has propelled him to a resounding lead in the 2007 World Championship Series. Yet again, all those who compete on 250F motocross bikes in the MX2 class just plain had now answer for the sensational Italian who handily won both motos in the Bulgarian heat. KTM works rider Tyla Rattray finished second on the afternoon with 3-3 moto scores, while fellow KTM pilot Tommy Searle finished out the podium in third with 2-5 moto scores.

“To win my Seventh GP this year is a lot,” said Cairoli after the Grand Prix. “In my mind I want to win all the GPs, but I have a second place in Japan. I really liked this track today. I prefer soft ground, but I feel good on the bike and here I raced hard. I don't have pressure as I am just thinking of each GP. I don't think of the championship.”

Added Tyla Rattray: “I felt good today. If I can put some good laps in, then I can race with Pourcel and Cairoli. I am pushing for the win. I know its going to be tough as Cairoli is riding so well at the moment. But I know I have the speed to win. Tommy and I get on well and we have a good relationship. There is a race in Germany next week, so maybe that is where I can win.”

And said Tommy Searle: “I know I want to win a GP, that is my aim. If I can't get consistent results, then I need to work on that. But a win is what I want. It was good to race with Antonio in the first moto today and that was good for my confidence.”

In the MX2 World Championship, Antonio Cairoli lads the way with 392 points. Christophe Pourcel, fourth in Bulgaria, is second with 309 points. Tyla Rattray stands third with 298 points. Pascal Leuret is fourth with 245 points and Tommy Searle fifth with 244 points. Gareth Swanepoel is sixth, 201 points to his credit.