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It\'s a huge weekend in Belgium for Kiwi-born motocross sensation Josh Coppins as he seeks to consolidate his amazing third place in the glamour world 250 championship.
Beginning his career as a factory rider at the start of this year the 23-year-old from Motueka was under pressure to make the top five - a feat he achieved right from the green flag.
So rapid has been his rise his Suzuki team is now openly discussing how early he will begin to beat the very best in the world.
Racing this Sunday at Namur in the south of Belgium - his Corona Suzuki outfit\'s home nation - he has his sights on his own teammate Mickael Pichon, the Frenchman who has led the title chase all year, and reigning world champion Fred Bolley, also from France, who is making a late-season run.
The pair are more than 50 points clear of the Kiwi expat, but with Pichon in particular suffering injuries and off-track problems, a closing of the gap is not out of the question.
Coppins is typically downplaying the prospect.
\"First I have to worry about the rest of the field,\" said the young professional from his team headquarters at Mol where he has been busy this week test riding the Suzuki model which will be sold to motocross riders worldwide next year.
\"Pit Beirer is just three points behind me on the Kawasaki - he\'s a great rider with a lot of experience and I was lucky to sneak past him last weekend.\"
\"Realistically he has every chance of getting back . but maybe we can both close up on at least one of the leaders.\"
\"There are plenty of others who want to make it hard for us as well and with four rounds still to go anything can happen,\" said Coppins. \"But I was happy I opened a good gap on Claudio Federici last weekend, he had been too close for comfort for a long time.\"
That ride at Grobbendonk near his team base not only saw off the threat of the top Italian and his Yamaha, it took Coppins closer than he has ever been to a grand prix victory - just one point separated him from Irishman Gordon Crockard who grabbed the victory for Honda but is lagging in the championship.
While Pichon and Beirer crashed, Bolley stuttered and others stumbled, the cool young Kiwi mastered wet conditions he is reputed not to favour as he converted the consistent riding which has kept him on the leaderboard all year into a top performance.
\"I learned a couple of lessons last weekend, I know I can compete with all of these guys. Now it\'s time to do it again.\"
The effort has not gone unnoticed by his Suzuki employers.
\"We are all very happy for Josh,\" said team manager Sylvain Geboers, himself a former world great.
\"He is getting there and I am sure it won\'t be long before we see him on top of the podium and winning races regularly.\"
The two moto legs of this weekend\'s grand prix are held early Monday morning NZ time.
Championship points:
1 Mickael Pichon (France) Corona Suzuki 337,
2 Frédéric Bolley (France) Honda 318,
3 Joshua Coppins (NZ) Corona Suzuki 249,
4 Pit Beirer (Germany) Kawasaki 246,
5 Claudio Federici (Italy) Yamaha 212,
6 Gordon Crockard (Ireland) Honda 193.
