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Kiwi-born motorcycle ace Josh Coppins is flying in qualifying for today\'s first round of the world supercross champs in Paris.
The spectacular Stade de France, where the All Blacks tackle France next month, is covered in soil as Coppins, 23, and the other world championship stars of outdoor motocross take on the best of the Amercians at their own indoor game.
Three American-based riders have qualified fastest but Coppins and two other European-based riders are just a couple of seconds adrift at around 1min 5sec lap time.
One of those is Coppins\' French teammate from the Suzuki Corona team, Mickael Pichon who is just back from a shoulder operation.
With the points to be fought under lights tonight, French fans are pouring into the 85,000 seat stadium.
Coppins finished fourth in this year\'s world outdoor championship in just his first year on a factory team and is tipped as a future champion.
