New Zealand Motocross campaigner Josh Coppins faces 16 grand prix events next year as he re-ignites his challenge for the world title.
Sidelined by serious injury this year, the Motueka-born 26-year-old is now returning to the form which took him to world runner-up spot in the world's glamour class in 2002.
In another shake-up of world racing the championship will head beyond mainland Europe to England, Ireland and South Africa next year, under a calendar just released.
The premier class, now called MX1, will revert to two moto races at each GP.
"That suits me," commented Coppins, veteran of nine years in the world championship.
"I always did better when we had that format in the past, probably because I train harder than other riders.
"It's possible for a guy to shine over one 40-minute moto, especially if he gets a good start, but when you have to go out and do it all over again an hour or two later it sorts out the ones who have put in the work."
Coppins is now recuperating from the latest operation to the ankle he broke, along with both feet and his spine, in a horrific crash last January.
"The Belgian surgeon has removed some of the metal that was getting in the way in there, and cleaned up the joint trying to promote cartilage repair," said the Honda factory rider.
Next season will mark Coppins' shift to a four-stroke racebike, the Honda CRF450R, after nine years on two-strokes.
"I raced the 450 at a couple of big events at the end of this season and I've adapted really quickly," he explained.
"Our class was opened up to 450 four-strokes against our old 250 two-strokes this year and the bigger bikes have generally been more successful.
"I enjoy the feel of the 450 and especially its torque right through the power range.
"We have a lot of development and testing to do on the new 2004 model and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into that once I'm back to fitness," added the rider known on the international circuit as Lizzard.
