With two riders out of MotoGP right now because of shoulder injuries (Dani Pedrosa & Colin Edwards), the number of riders in the premier class has dropped down to just 15 expected to compete at the British GP. With that news comes pressure from Dorna for the teams to find replacements, and with a limited talent pool, the usual suspects are being bandied about. One of the people on the short list is former-GP rider John Hopkins, who raced for Rizla Suzuki at the Spanish GP in Jerez after Álvaro Bautista broke his femur at Qatar and was unable to compete.
Hopper has apparently been contacted by Monster Yamaha Tech 3 and Repsol Honda, as the Anglo-American tweeted, “I’m so honored to have even been considered for such top level Moto GP rides and yes a full time Moto GP ride is my future goal but I am contracted to Samsung Crescent Suzuki and I believe remaining 100% loyal and honoring my current commitments will pay off in the end !”
With no schedule conflicts existing with his current British Superbike ride with Crescent Suzuki, we imagine the team is less than keen on Hopper riding for another manufacturer, especially when a channel from BSB to the Suzuki MotoGP team seems to so prominently exist with Hopkins and Paul Denning. Who will actually replace Edwards and Pedrosa is a matter of much gossip, more on that as we get it.
Source: John Hopkins (Twitter)
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