    |
 |
|
|
|
Kiwi motocross whiz kid Josh Coppins goes to Switzerland\'s final round of the world 250 champs this weekend on a high after his grand prix runner-up spot last weekend.
The 23-year-old from Motueka is out to secure his third place in the championship and to help his Corona Suzuki team to the manufacturers title.
Coppins, in just his first year with the factory team, can\'t overtake his riding partner\'s second spot but with a 19-point buffer he is comfortably ahead of fourth place.
The team meanwhile trails arch-rival Honda by 13 points and with teammate Mickael Pichon struggling with injury the pressure falls on Coppins to get them through.
Honda has been buoyed by the late-season charge of Fred Bolley to a second straight title, flicking aside the lead Pichon held for much of the year.
Last weekend Bolley was the only rider in a class field to best Coppins, and the expat Kiwi is determined to end the season on an equally high note this Sunday.
The 1935-metre track at Circuit Stelle at Roggenburg near Basle in northern Switzerland holds plenty of challenges for the racers in this, the world\'s top championship.
\"I know the circuit and what to expect,\" said the cool young Coppins.
\"It will be a hard weekend with a lot of riders out to make a good showing as they jockey for positions for next year.\"
\"I\'m determined to hold my third spot, and the team needs those extra points.\"
If the Kiwi can maintain his position it will be a huge achievement after the team\'s early expectations that he should hunt for a top five position in his maiden year.
The two legs of the Swiss Grand Prix are held overnight Sunday NZ time.
Championship points:
1 Frédéric Bolley (France) Honda 410;
2 Mickael Pichon (France) Corona Suzuki 367;
3 Josh Coppins (NZ) Corona Suzuki 325;
4 Pit Beirer (Germany) Kawasaki 306;
5 Gordon Crockard (GB) Honda 277;
6 Claudio Federici (Italy) Yamaha 273.
Manufacturers:
1 Honda 474,
2 Suzuki 461,
3 Yamaha 380,
4 Kawasaki 379,
5 Husqvarna 249,
6 KTM 181.
