    |
 |
|
|
|
Kiwi motocross sensation Josh Coppins starts his challenge for the world title next weekend (18 March).
Already number four in the world, the young expat races 15 rounds from Australia to Europe between now and September in search of yet higher glory..
Motueka-born Coppins turns 24 this Sunday (11th) and has been preparing for several months to start the new season with a celebration.
European pundits say it\'s only a matter of time before he becomes the first Kiwi to take the world\'s biggest motocross title, the 250 championship - but Coppins is impatient.
\"I have to go for gold this year,\" he said from France where his Suzuki Corona team is building up for the Spanish Grand Prix season-opener.
\"Everyone says I\'m still too young and I know I have to improve to beat the guys who finished ahead of me last year ... but I\'ve been training hard and my aim is to continue to better last year\'s placing as I have done every year since 1995.\"
One of those in his sights is Coppins\'own Suzuki teammate Mickael Pichon of France, who led the title chase through 2000 before slipping to runner-up spot behind the Honda of another Frenchman Fred Bolley.
\"They\'re both highly talented riders at the peak of their form,\" Coppins commented. \"Mickael has got past me the past two weekends in buildup races.
\"But it\'s a long season and this year we have a changed format with just one race per GP compared with two last year.
\"I\'ve been preparing for that,\" he said. \"And the new season Suzuki is a big help with some real power ... I\'ve been first into the first corner in every pre-season race.
\"Last year I came so close to grabbing third, I won\'t be happy in the shadows again.\"
Whether it comes this year or in the next couple, Europe is ready for a champion from downunder. The motocross championship is now promoted by Dorna, the Spanish company behind the highly successful world road racing grands prix.
It already attracts tens of thousands trackside and millions who watch the action live on TV, and its profile is lifting sharply as promotable personalities like Coppins emerge.
As part of the development all three GP classes, 125, 250 and 500, have been brought together this year and fans will see all of their heroes in one place.
That also provides a career path for young talent, like 16-year-old Kiwi Ben Townley who is expected to be confirmed as the youngest grand prix rider when he lines up his Suzuki in the 125 class next weekend.
A year ago Josh Coppins was his hero, now the youngster from Taupo races on the same card at the top of the world.
The 2001 championship calendar:
18 March Catalunya, Spain;
1 April Valkenswaard, Netherlands;
15 April Broadford, Australia;
29 April Genk, Belgium;
13 May Teutschenthal,Germany;
27 May Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium (GP of Europe);
10 June, Karntenring, Austria;
24 June Arsago, Italy (to be confirmed);
1 July Uddevalla, Sweden;
15 July Ernee, France;
5 August Namur, Belgium;
12 August Roggenberg, Switzerland;
19 August Gaildorf, Germany;
2 September Lierop, Netherlands;
16 September Misano, San Marino.
The Motocross des Nations teams event will be held on 30 September in Italy. The World Supercross (stadium) Championship will follow - no dates have been finalised yet.
Final championship points 2000:
1 Bolley 421 points, 2 Pichon 367, 3 Pit Beirer (Germany) Kawasaki 340, 4 Coppins 334, 5 Claudio Federici (Italy) Yamaha 301.
