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Motocross ace Josh Coppins has arrived in the south of France to balmy weather in early spring.
But this is no Mediterranean holiday. The New Zealand-born Honda racer takes on some of the world’s best tomorrow (Sunday) at Beaucaire near Marseilles.
The Beaucaire International is the traditional pre-season warmup for the world championships, which this year start in The Netherlands in exactly one month.
The southern French event gives fans and backers a first chance to see the leading title contenders in action, usually on new machinery and frequently sporting the colours of new sponsors.
For Coppins that means the bright red of Berni Honda Racing, the Italian team which conscripted him for its world championship bid on the powerful Honda CR250.
“The bike is great,” commented Coppins, 24.
“We’ve raced the first Italian championship event and we’ve done a lot of testing for suspension and other parts.
“We still have some development to do, but for this time of the season I’m real happy … the CR will be a weapon this weekend.”
Although early-season crashes have already sidelined some leading riders this year, Coppins has his work cut out.
Legendary world champions Stefan Everts and Joel Smets have come from Belgium, current 125 champ Jamie Dobb is here from England, while names like Bervoets, Bolley, Gundersen and McFarlane will provide stiff competition.
So too will Coppins’ Berni Honda teammates: German Pit Beirer (CR250) and Italian Andrea Bartolini (CR450).
Fans have already packed the historic town of Beaucaire, its ancient fortress and tiny, winding streets echoing to the sound of powerful motorcycles and revelry.
“It’s great to see such support early in the year,” Coppins said. “The place has a holiday atmosphere let’s celebrate.”
But the comment points to fireworks on track, not a holiday jaunt to nearby Nice, Cannes or St Tropez.
Coppins’ young protégé Ben Townley was also planning to contest the Beaucaire International but his Big Five Vangani team elected to race an event in Belgium where they are based.
However that event is in doubt because of heavy rain that has plagued northern Europe.
