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Motocross sensation Josh Coppins goes big scalp hunting this weekend in Luxembourg.
A close fourth in the glamour world 250 champs, the young Kiwi has already leap-frogged international stars to mix it with the very best . and now with three rounds remaining in the title chase Coppins is poised to clinch a stunning overall placing in his first year as a factory-backed rider.
The 23-year-old expat from Motueka, on 271 points, is just five off third place and still within striking distance of the championship leaders.
This Sunday\'s 13th round of the championship at Folkendange near Ettelbruck is tipped to be a decider for the established veterans ahead and for the young Kiwi.
If Coppins can master the 2.1km circuit on his flying Corona Suzuki he will squash any likelihood of slipping to fifth overall - in a season when it was originally considered fifth would be a great placing for the young talent.
The motocross-mad fans from the Benelux countries will be looking for Coppins and his closest rival, Kawasaki star Pit Beirer, to close the 60-point gap on the two championship leaders.
Coppins\' Suzuki team, based nearby in Belgium, will be watching that too. Their number one rider, Frenchman Mickael Pichon who has led the title chase all year, is fighting to fend off reigning champion Fred Bolley on his Honda.
Missing out on points last weekend with a serious shoulder injury, and under a cloud after off-track indiscretions, Pichon is viewed by some as easy pickings for Bolley who came from behind to snatch the 1999 title.
A couple of poor performances could put Pichon back with Coppins - raising the prospect of the established number one fighting it out with the newcomer for a top-three place in the championship.
Such an outcome would startle even Coppins\' backers - and there are plenty of them - who believed it would take a season or two yet for him to develop into a title threat.
But with each grand prix offering a rider a potential 40 points, this season is far from over.
The two moto legs in Luxembourg will be held early Monday morning NZ time.
World Championship points:
1 Mickael Pichon (France) Corona Suzuki, 337,
2 Fred Bolley (France) Honda 333,
3 Pit Beirer (Germany) Kawasaki 276,
4 Josh Coppins (NZ) Corona Suzuki 271;
5 Claudio Federici (Italy) Yamaha 234.
