Coppins, Rattray Townley takes national wins.

It was a good weekend for Motocross world championship stars Josh Coppins, Tyla Rattray and Ben Townley, who all took overall class victories in national championship events over the weekend.

Coppins and Rattray were taking part in the third round of the British championship at Waggadon Farm, Torrington, where Coppins would win both open class motos en route to the overall.

The CAS Honda rider out qualified the competition by at least four seconds in the morning timed session, then rocketed to the race one holeshot and an eventual victory margin of 20-seconds over James Noble.

'Lizzard' then created a carbon copy of race one when he shot out of the start gate first, for the final and deciding race of the day. The Kiwi then worked his factory Honda into an even bigger lead and would cross the line 30-seconds ahead of second place.

"My starts were great and I've the bike was working really well today. I liked the track and my riding just seemed to flow today. I couldn't have asked for a better result," smiled Josh, who now leads the British championship by sixteen points.

Meanwhile, in the 125cc class, South African Rattray would take overall honours with a brace of second place finishes.

When the fate dropped in race one, Rattray slotted into second behind Andrew McFarlane and the pair soon opened up a decisive lead over the rest of the field as they duelled for the lead.

Tyla managed to pass McFarlane at half race distance, but a dose of arm pump slowed his pace and McFarlane reclaimed the lead. A few more changes of lead had the crowd cheering, but in the end it was McFarlane who prevailed with a mere 0.03secs.

'Styla's' second heat again started off in second position, and this time round he maintained the position ahead of former world champion Jamie Dobb and behind current world championship leader Stephen Sword to take the overall.

Tyla has now clambered back up to fifth in the British Championship standings, but his appeal against his exclusion from the first race at Lyng is still pending, and may affect the overall points standings.

While Rattray was battling in Britain, fellow KTM rider - and world championship rival - Ben Townely, was honing his skills at the sandy Oss circuit, venue for round two of the Dutch motocross championship. Townley, raced to a perfect score in the 125cc class and an exciting second in the Super-final.

BT had first pick of the gate for the first moto after posting an incredible qualifying time, five seconds faster than his closet rival. A good jump and shift saw the New Zealander power his way into the lead by the second turn and from there onwards it was to be a Townely demonstration of smooth sand riding skills. Ben crossed the finish line forty-four seconds ahead of local rider, Jan Van Hastenburg for the win.

"I started off with really fast lap times and toned it down a bit after the first ten minutes. Unfortunately, my team-mate Marc (de Reuver) is sidelined with a neck injury - otherwise we could have been having some exciting racing today," explained the teenager.

A second moto hole-shot saw BT disappear into the distance once again, although this time the Kiwi was lapping with consistently faster times than his first race. BT seemed more at home on the rougher circuit and his KTM 250F seemed to soak up every hole and bump with ease. By the time the chequered flag had been waved, Townley had taken the victory, this time forty-six seconds ahead of second place.

"I seemed to have better lines in this race and I managed to post some fast and consistent lap times. My concentration was good and I felt strong after the race," said Townley.

The last race of the day was the Super- Final, which combines the first twelve overall finishers from the 125 class with the first twelve overall finishers of the Open class. Being the overall winner in the 125 class, Townley had first choice of the gate which was no help against the faster Open class machines.

As the pack wound its way around the first turn Townley was mid-pack, fighting for positions. While trying a different line Townley's front wheel washed out placing the factory KTM rider back down the field.

The Dutch crowd were treated to a brilliant come back race as BT remounted and set chase after the leaders. He broke into the top five around the halfway mark and succeeded in reeling in Theybers, Verhoeven, and Pyrhonen to move into second spot. Fellow KTM rider, Sven Breugelmans, had taken advantage of Townley's mistake and the KTM duo crossed the finish line seven seconds apart.

"I tried a new line to pass the guy in front of me. I didn't work too well and I lost the front end. I enjoyed fighting back but I just didn't have enough time to catch Sven. It's been a good day and great preparation for the GP in Lichtenvoorde, next weekend," affirmed the Kiwi.

This weekend Coppins, Rattray and Townley will line up for the sixth world championship event of the season at Lichtenvoorde.