Just one week after an exciting Grand Prix of Italy, the Motocross World Championship continues this weekend with round five at Teutschenthal in Germany.
After the blip of a 'technical' (he was equal on points with Kevin Strijbos) defeat in Portugal, Josh Coppins has sailed successfully through the early rounds - whilst many of his younger rivals stumbled around him.
Coppins is certain to be up front again this weekend, and will be eager to extinguish any confidence among his rivals with another overall victory. Strijbos is already on the back foot after a tough weekend in Mantova, but Suzuki team-mate Steve Ramon was able to rise to third in the points standings.
Kawasaki Europe’s Tanel Leok, consistently fast in qualifying, finally took his first podium of 2007 in Italy, while GPKR's MX1 rookie Sebastien Pourcel has finished in the top five for two events in a row and took a well deserved podium last week in Italy.
The Frenchman is closing in on Ken De Dycker for fourth in the championship, but CAS Honda's Belgian lost valuable points due to a mechanical failure in moto one last weekend. In Mantova, he undoubtedly had podium pace, as he demonstrated with a hard fought second place in the following moto.
KTM Sarholz’s Max Nagl really wants to take part in his home event, but his broken collarbone was too painful for him to race in Mantova. He needs to recover soon, as he hasn't scored points since the GP of Portugal, where he picked up the injury.
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Red Bull KTM rider David Philippaerts will also look to put disappointment behind him this weekend, after clashing with fellow riders during his home round last weekend.
By contrast, countryman Antonio Cairoli is unbeaten in 2007 and reigning champion Christophe Pourcel need a radical change of form if he is to stop the flying Sicilian. Pourcel's form has been somewhat inconsistent - fast, but with too many falls - and the Frenchman lost second in the points to Tyla Rattray last weekend.
