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Top motocross racers Josh Coppins and Ben Townley have been invited to contest a prestigious event in Qatar next month.
The New Zealand-born pair will take a break from their world championship campaign to fly to the exotic nation.
Their factory-supported teams Honda and KTM were chosen for what is effectively a shake-down event as Qatar prepares to host a round of the world championship next year.
“It’s a one-off race in mid-week, so we can go out there, do the event and be back without disrupting our weekend programme in Europe,” said Coppins, star of the crack Berni Honda Racing team from Italy.
“It’s quite an honour to be invited and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I’ve raced in India but never anywhere like Qatar. We don’t know quite what to expect, but I’m sure it’ll be a buzz,” said the 24-year-old seasoned campaigner from the 250 class.
Townley, 17 and barely more than a year out of school, describes the invitation as “another big opportunity”.
“I’ve had so many amazing experiences since I came to the world champs a year ago, and now here’s something totally new again,” said the 125 class rider from the Big Five Vangani KTM, a team with bases in Belgium and South Africa.
“Even for the veterans offers like this don’t come along every day and it’s great that I get to go with Josh who’s been such a help to me at the world champs.”
The expat Kiwis will be joined by European-born teammates on the trip.
Arrangements are still being finalised to get the riders, bikes and support crews to Qatar with minimum disruption to their current campaigns.
The world championship starts at Valkenswaard in The Netherlands on 24 March and continues over 12 rounds to September. As well as mainland Europe it takes in Bulgaria and Russia.
