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Motocross ace Josh Coppins has arrived in Belgium to storm the Citadel at Namur.
This ancient fortress town of stone buildings covering a hill amid the plains of Namur, in the French-speaking southern region of the Benelux country, has been thrown over to round nine of the world championship this weekend.
The Grand Prix of Namur sees the bikes blasting through trees and off huge leaps amid the battlements where Roman conquerors once trod.
In a series of frantic three-minute laps on Sunday the contenders for the greatest prize in world off-road racing will seek to master difficult terrain, the best riders from a rainbow of nations, and their own mental reserves.
For Coppins the challenge is to continue his charge up the 250 rankings after an early season dogged by misfortune.
While his high-flying Suzuki Corona teammate Mickael Pichon (France) has stormed away to a virtually unassailable lead in the title chase, Coppins has come back to within a few points of third spot.
He stood on the podium at the last GP, in France three weeks ago, and is looking for a repeat performance to pile on the points.
“I feel in the best form of my life,” said the 24-year-old Kiwi expat.
“I had a physical test this week and I’m at my fittest ever.
“You need that around here, Namur is very gruelling physically and mentally,” he added.
In one frantic 40-minute dash the champion of Namur will be decided … and the likely positions when the season ends late next month will become just a little more clear.
