Joined Jun 2007
373 Posts | 0+
Ampang, Malaysia
:scared
Hopkins leaves but Suzuki pledge 'full support'.
Tuesday, 10th July 2007
Following the news that John Hopkins has signed for Kawasaki, reported earlier today by Motorcycle News, Suzuki has assured Crash.net that the Anglo-American will continue to receive full support until the end of 2007.
___________
After making his MotoGP debut with Red Bull Yamaha in 2002, Hopkins switched to Suzuki the following season and - despite several difficult years on the initially uncompetitive GSV-R - has remained with the factory ever since.
The Anglo-American was rewarded for his loyalty with a steadily improving machine, culminating in a debut pole position last season and a debut podium earlier this year. Nevertheless, that hasn't been enough to keep the highly-rated 24-year-old at Paul Denning's team - Hopkins' decision to join Kawasaki, a team eager to sign a top name for 2008, being made with half of the 18 rounds still to go.
"Suzuki is making no comment on the situation, other than John will continue to get full support both on and off the track as he is still a Suzuki rider," a Suzuki spokesman told Crash.net, when asked about the consequences of Hopper's departure.
The spokesman admitted that the team's intention had been to keep both Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen for next season - and that Suzuki is still in talks with the young Australian, who took his first win earlier this year in the rain at Le Mans.
"Suzuki's first aim was to keep both riders and we are still in negotiation with Chris," said the spokesman. "As soon as there is any news on whether Chris is staying and who the replacement for John is, we will make an announcement."
Marco Melandri and Loris Capirossi are thought to be in contention to replace Hopkins at Suzuki - Ducati star Capirossi having also been heavily linked to Kawasaki.
http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~6~id~150989.htm
Hopkins leaves but Suzuki pledge 'full support'.
Tuesday, 10th July 2007
Following the news that John Hopkins has signed for Kawasaki, reported earlier today by Motorcycle News, Suzuki has assured Crash.net that the Anglo-American will continue to receive full support until the end of 2007.
___________
After making his MotoGP debut with Red Bull Yamaha in 2002, Hopkins switched to Suzuki the following season and - despite several difficult years on the initially uncompetitive GSV-R - has remained with the factory ever since.
The Anglo-American was rewarded for his loyalty with a steadily improving machine, culminating in a debut pole position last season and a debut podium earlier this year. Nevertheless, that hasn't been enough to keep the highly-rated 24-year-old at Paul Denning's team - Hopkins' decision to join Kawasaki, a team eager to sign a top name for 2008, being made with half of the 18 rounds still to go.
"Suzuki is making no comment on the situation, other than John will continue to get full support both on and off the track as he is still a Suzuki rider," a Suzuki spokesman told Crash.net, when asked about the consequences of Hopper's departure.
The spokesman admitted that the team's intention had been to keep both Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen for next season - and that Suzuki is still in talks with the young Australian, who took his first win earlier this year in the rain at Le Mans.
"Suzuki's first aim was to keep both riders and we are still in negotiation with Chris," said the spokesman. "As soon as there is any news on whether Chris is staying and who the replacement for John is, we will make an announcement."
Marco Melandri and Loris Capirossi are thought to be in contention to replace Hopkins at Suzuki - Ducati star Capirossi having also been heavily linked to Kawasaki.
http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~6~id~150989.htm
