CAS Honda rider Josh Coppins finished fifth at a sunny Ernee circuit and the Grand Prix of France for the last round of the FIM MX1 Motocross World Championship but his team-mate Ken de Dycker secured fourth position overall in the final points table. The Ernee track was soft and heavily rutted after heavy rainfall two days before the Grand Prix. Saturday's practice and qualification timetable was shortened in an effort to preserve the course sprawled over one side of a valley setting with the fans crowded on the opposing bank for wide 100% views of the layout. The mud was drier and as a consequence rougher on Sunday as brighter weather conditions finally arrived.
The MX2 Grand Prix of France at Ernee was won by De Carli Yamaha rider Antonio Cairoli with his second double triumph of the year and third GP success. While it completed a pleasant double victory for Yamaha at the final GP of the season, The 2005 World Champion had to settle for second in 2006.
Kevin Strijbos and Steve Ramon will wheel out their works RM-Z450s for the final Grand Prix of the season this weekend with the trip to the Ernee circuit near the city of Rennes and the French round of the 2006 FIM MX1 Motocross World Championship. Last year’s Motocross of Nations venue will be hoping for similar bumper crowds for the 15th event in this year’s campaign that will be mainly notable as the last meeting in former Suzuki World Champion Stefan Everts 18-year and 10-title winning career.