Coops out!
By TMX Archives on 14th Apr 03
British champ denied entry for Dutch GP BRITISH OPEN class champ Paul Cooper failed to secure a ride at round two of the MXGP world championship at Valkenswaard in Holland after a mix-up between the ACU and his Multi-Tek team. Cooper's team-boss Trevor Avery was furious. "We've been let down by our governing body, the ACU," said Trevor. "I've got no respect for them. Their professionalism is zero, they're a disorganised shower of ***t. "We face an uphill battle. We don't get any help from our federation - not financial, medical or training like the Italian and Belgian federations offer - and now this. "Paul rang Sonia Goggin at the ACU and asked if he was entered for the GP. She said it was all sorted and he had nothing to worry about." What neither the ACU or the team realised at this point was that a 'promoter's choice' request should have been made to Dorna by the team or rider as Paul - who failed to qualify in Bellpuig after a big practice crash - was outside the top 20 points scorers. "At the start of the season Paul was entered for all 12 races," explained Sonia. "We have to tick and stamp the form for each race. This was done and submitted to the FIM. Paul contacted me on Friday the week before the event and asked if he'd been entered for Holland, which he had. "I think there's been a misunderstanding between myself and Paul. His entry was submitted at the start of the season and it's Dorna's choice who rides at each round. It's the team's job to contact Dorna and apply as a promoter's choice, that doesn't go through the federation. Dorna deal directly with the teams over most matters - this being one of them. I'm guessing that Dorna didn't hear from Paul or his team after Bellpuig and they still think he's injured." Despite efforts from both parties to get Dorna to reconsider Paul's entry for Valkenswaard, no compromise was found.