Former grand prix contender Josh Coppins is tipping it will be a huge year in Australian Motocross when the Monster Energy MX Nationals get underway this weekend at Conondale in Queensland.

With an all-star line-up of international talent here to take on the Aussies, current national MX1 number two Coppins believes that it will be the series that is the big winner at the end of the day.

Coppins returns to the CDR team after a successful, yet bittersweet, 2011 season that saw him come within two races of winning the championship.

The shoulder injury that cost him the title is now back to full strength and with a solid pre-season behind him, Coppins is ready to go for the 2012 opener on Sunday.

“I’m really excited about racing this year,” Coppins said. “I think we have a great range of tracks and with some longer races back at the rounds, I think 2012 will be a great year for me and also for the championship in general.

“My shoulder is fully healed and things have been coming along well racing back home in New Zealand and in testing. I feel that CDR has again put together a great bike and Conondale can’t come soon enough.”

This season is scheduled to be Coppins’ final year of full time competition in the professional ranks.