John Hopkins excited to race with Rizla Suzuki at Sepang, Malaysia – MotoGP news
John ‘Hopper’ Hopkins is excited to get a wild card entry from the Rizla Suzuki team for the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix.
After missing the Brno race event due to a right hand fracture, Hopkins was disappointed.
Hopper crashed out during a practice session at Brno and sustained a fracture on his right hand’s fingers. It was a second wild card entry for the former American MotoGP rider. Earlier in the season, he rode as a substitute for the injured Alvaro Bautista.
Hopkins said, “I am really pumped to get this chance to ride in a MotoGP race with the Rizla Suzuki team. I thought after Brno that I wouldn’t get the opportunity again and was really disappointed that I missed out there due to a silly mistake, so to be
heading to Sepang is fantastic.”
The American British Superbike rider shared that he likes to race at the Sepang International Circuit. As previously, he has been a MotoGP rider for the Suzuki and Kawasaki factory teams which used to visit SIC for winter testing.
His priority is to complete the British Superbike Championship with success, but once the BSB season is finished, he will turn his attention towards MotoGP. Until the BSB season ends, MotoGP will approach Malaysia and Hopkins will display his potential for
the premier class return.
The American rider is willing to return to the MotoGP class after ending his disrupted career in the series. He suffered from series of injuries and Kawasaki’s walkout from MotoGP brought an end to it.
He paid tribute to the Rizla Suzuki team and his BSB team Samsung Crescent Suzuki for providing him a great opportunity.
Paul Denning, Team Manager for Rizla Suzuki said, “We’d intended to give John at least one outing on the Rizla Suzuki Grand Prix bike this year and we’re delighted that he’ll join us in Malaysia to form a two–man team with Álvaro. Sepang is one of John’s
favourite tracks and also one that the GSV-R has performed well at in the past.”
Denning also accepted the effort made by Hopkins. As he returned from his injury at the BSB championship, everyone at Rizla Suzuki is impressed with his courage and focus for racing.
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