    |
 |
|
|
|
Visit Josh @ his JoshCoppins.Com: Website.
It features the Kiwi`s latest news, pictures, profile etc.
COPPINS ON 2004 HONDA:
Motocross ace Josh Coppins makes an unexpected race debut on a four-stroke
this weekend . and it will be the 2004 model Honda.
\"I\'ve been training in the UK this week on the CRF450 to get ready for the
Motocross des Nations and it\'s gone quite well so I decided to head over to
Belgium for the last round of their national champs on Sunday,\" commented
the 26-year-old star of the CAS Honda team.
\"We have the 2003 bikes which my teammates were using in this year\'s world
champs, but since I\'m considering using the four-stroke myself next year I
opted to start training on the 2004 model right from the start,\" explained.
\"It means a bit more setup and development, but I\'m happy with the way it\'s
going and I think I\'ll be ready for Sunday.
\"This won\'t be an easy event, all the big Belgian names like Everts and
Smets are there . but there\'s no pressure on me to perform, it\'s just a
familiarisation ahead of the Nations next week,\" added the expat Kiwi who
is still completing his recovery from career-threatening injuries earlier
this year.
Coppins, a nine-year veteran of the world championships, has ridden
two-stroke machinery all his life. But a rule change in the world\'s premier
class this year has seen the rise of four-strokes and Coppins is keeping
his options open on which machine he will use next year.
\"We\'re very fortunate that Honda has very competitive bikes of both types,
which most of the others don\'t have,\" he commented.
\"Right now I\'m feeling very good on the 450 and it\'s a tempting option for
next year.
\"I expect to be fully recovered and fit by the start of the world
championship in March and it\'s the year when I make an all-out challenge
for the title, so choosing the best bike is essential.\"
Riders from all over Europe are using this weekend\'s Belgian race as
preparation for the Motocross des Nations the following weekend at the
Belgian Formula One car circuit at Zolder.
Often called the Olympics of motorcycling, the Nations race brings together
three-man teams from all of the world\'s top motocross countries.
Under new rules, all three riders can choose any capacity of motorcycle.
Coppins\' fellow team members Ben Townley and Shayne King have indicated
they will also ride big four-strokes.
Ian RJ Miles
