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Top Kiwi motorcycle racer Josh Coppins has blown away the best of Europe at the first round of the World Supercross Championship in Paris, France.
The Motueka-born expat was the only European rider to foot it with the visiting Americans who make a specialty of this stadium form of motocross.
Coppins, 23, lies fourth after this first of three rounds in the title chase.
\"I\'m absolutely stoked,\" buzzed the normally reserved young star who also finished fourth in the outdoor motocross champs this year.
\"This is not my best form of racing, there are quite a few of the Euro-based riders who have much more experience in it.\"
Coppins, just completing his first year with the top-rated Suzuki Corona factory team, had to fight back from an apalling 14th starting position after a tough semi-final race.
\"I really blew that semi, crashed twice and I thought my night was over,\" he said.
\"The plan for the final was to start well and ride smooth ... we expected a few of the top riders would crash and that\'s how it worked out.\"
Coppins fought his way to sixth early on and grabbed fifth when his highly-rated teammate Mickael Pichon crashed then retired.
The Kiwi\'s legendary fitness came into play as he fought with current world 125 motocross champion Rodrig Thain (KTM)all the way to the finish line as top non US-based rider.
It\'s a huge result for the fast-rising youngster, tipped as a future world motocross champion.
The home crowd went wild when expat Frenchman David Vuillemin, current US supercross champion, won the event for the third year in a row on his Yamaha. A party erupted with bands and fireworks around then 80 thousand-seat Stade de France arena where the All Blacks play France next month.
American Mike Larocco (Honda) took second from South African Suzuki racer Greg Albertyn, former world champion while based in Europe and now in his final season in America before retirement.
Round two of the championship is in Italy in a fortnight. Meanwhile Coppins contests the huge Paris Bercy supercross event next weekend.
