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Fresh from a stunning start to the World Supercross Champs, top Kiwi motorcycle racer Josh Coppins is back in France this weekend for the big Paris Bercy event.
Not a round of the championship, this one-off three-night spectacular is nonetheless among the most prestigious in the world.
Coppins, the 23-year-old from Motueka now established as a European star, defends the honour of the powerful Suzuki Corona factory team .. and also of the Euro-based outdoor world motocross championship regulars.
Facing the might of the American-based stadium supercross specialists, Coppins was the top European at last week\'s championship opener.
That event, also in Paris at the massive Stade de France where the All Blacks play next month, could not be a greater contrast with this weekend\'s event at the Parc Omnisports Paris Bercy, an intimate arena with all the action indoors.
The futuristic stadium on the south-eastern fringe of central Paris near the Bastille has watched the arrival of the world\'s best indoor and outdoor specialists for a hard-fought elmination series culminating in the King of Bercy race on Sunday night.
Although typically playing down his chances Coppins, on the Suzuki RM250, is a definite title contender. But top betting favours the winner last weekend, US-based French Yamaha rider David Vuillerman.
\"There\'s no doubt supercross is a specialist event and the Americans are riding it all year,\" said the expat Kiwi champion.
\"We race outdoor on the long tracks all year then scramble to switch to the tightness indoors.
\"That\'s why I was stoked with fourth last week, behind just three of the Americans.\"
Coppins has just learned he has only one more round in the world champoinship; the Italian event next weekend has been cancelled amid legal action between the series organisers and the local federation.
The final round will be held in Germany next month.
