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New Zealand\'s top motorcycle racer Josh Coppins has started the world championship season in perfect fashiom, qualifying in the top bunch for tomorrow\'s Spanish Grand Prix.
On a technically demanding track at Bellpuig near Barcelona in north-east Spain, the Kiwi expat featured in the top dozen names of the top-rated 250 class.
He blasted his Corona Suzuki through deep dirt on the natural hillside terrain to bag a top spot for the Sunday main event.
\"It\'s very tough going around here,\" said the 24-year-old who took fourth spot in last year\'s championship and is looking for higher this season.
\"In yesterday\'s first qualifier the track was very fast, but I was held back a little by a slipping clutch.
\"Today I\'m right where I want to be, although the track is a little slower and my lap times are off a bit.\"
As all riders get accustomed to the two-day qualifying process, Coppins has been eyeing the starting gate for tomorrow\'s GP.
\"Really it was important to be in the top 20 to pick a spot on the start line ... now I just have to make sure I get away at the front,\" said the Motueka-born star.
Coppins predicts the main competition will come from last year\'s top two, back-to-back champion Fred Bolley (Honda) and his own Suzuki teammate Mickael Pichon, both of France.
\"They\'re both looking very strong around here, but on the day any one of 15 guys could do the business.\"
The passionate Spanish crowd expects a dramatic GP, run for the first time in history over one race rather than two.
Also on the card for each grand prix throughout 2001are 125 and 500 classes, another innovation in a season which runs across Europe and out to Australia before the finale in September.
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:
1Bolley 421 points, 2 Pichon 367, 3 Pit Beirer (Germany) Kawasaki 340, 4 Coppins 334, 5 Claudio Federici (Italy) Yamaha 301.
