WSBK: Hopper vowing to ride through pain

WSBK Press release:

John Hopkins is hoping to put his latest injury troubles behind him when he returns to action in front of his home fans as the eni FIM Superbike World Championship heads to Miller Motorsports Park near Salt Lake City this weekend.

Hopkins, 28, missed the start of the season after breaking a bone in his hand in testing, and suffered further trouble at Monza, where the American broke a bone in his right foot and damaged his left hip.

That meant the FIXI Crescent Suzuki rider was forced to sit out the last round of the championship at Donington Park, and has since seen a specialist to diagnose the severity of his injuries. But he has been passed fit to return to action, although he will receive pain-killing injections in order for him to race as he looks to add to his meager total of eight points.

“I was so disappointed to miss Donington Park, where I’m sure I could have been in that crazy fight for the win,” said Hopper. “It’s been a really rough ride physically over recent times, and there were some real worries over the hip condition, but I know I have a lot more to give and that my luck has to change for the better. “The team, my family and close friends have been really supportive, and I just want to get back into what I know I can do best.

“I am fully committed to racing at Miller, and I will be doing everything possible to ensure that I do whatever I can to get the best result possible for FIXI Crescent Suzuki, myself and everyone involved. “It won’t be easy, so I plan to take it step-by-step, enjoy the riding, and build back into it.”

The Suzuki team are on a high after Hopkins’ teammate Leon Camier delivered an impressive fourth placed finish in the second race at Donington. And team manager Jack Valentine is delighted to see his first-choice rider line-up back in action, although he knows it will be a difficult weekend for the wounded Hopkins.

He said: “I know it will be difficult for John as he will have to overcome the pain, but there will be no pressure from us and John’s a tough cookie, as recent history has shown.”

PROGRAMMING NOTE: The AMA Pro Road Racing action from Miller Motorsports Park will air Sunday, May 27 at 6:30pm ET, and Monday, May 28 at 5:00pm ET on SPEED.

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (After 5 of 14 Rounds)

WORLD SUPERBIKE

1 Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia 128.5

2 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki 123.5

3 Jonathan Rea GBR Honda 108

4 Carlos Checa ESP Ducati 105.5

5 Marco Melandri ITA BMW 97.5

6 Leon Haslam GBR BMW 89

7 Sylvain Guintoli FRA Ducati 85

8 Eugene Laverty IRE Aprilia 65

9 Davide Giugliano ITA Ducati 50

10 Jakub Smrz CZE Ducati 44.5

11 Michel Fabrizio ITA BMW 35

12 Leon Camier GBR Suzuki 34.5

13 Hiroshi Aoyama JAP Honda 30.5

14 Maxime Berger FRA Ducati 29.5

15 Ayrton Badovini ITA BMW 29

WORLD SUPERSPORT

1 Kenan Sofuoglu TUR Kawasaki 81

2 Sam Lowes GBR Honda 76

3 Jules Cluzel FRA Honda 64

4 Fabien Foret FRA Kawasaki 55

5 Broc Parkes AUS Honda 42

SUPERSTOCK 1000

1 Lorenzo Savadori ITA Ducati 53

2 Sylvain Barrier FRA BMW 50

3 Eddi La Marra ITA Ducati 48

4 Markus Reiterberger GER BMW 35

5 Loris Baz FRA Kawasaki 30

For more information: www.worldsbk.com