Hopkins crashes on GP return
Added on Friday, August 15th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Unlucky 13 as Hopkins crashes in Brno.
John Hopkins returned to MotoGP action yet lasted just 13 minutes before crashing in the opening practice session.
The Kawasaki rider, who has missed the last three rounds due to a leg fracture sustained in a pre-race practice in Assen seven weeks ago, fell on his first ride since injury but managed to walk away unharmed to later post the fifth-fastest time on the session at 1:59.220.
Hopkins was still a considerable distance behind pace-setter Valentino Rossi who posted the session’s fastest time at 1:57.782.
Casey Stoner was once again behind the Italian by 0.129sec whilst third place Gresini rider Shinya Nakano - impressive whilst testing the factory Honda, was a considerable 1.239secs further back.
Honda’s title prospect Dani Pedrosa, thought to be still struggling with the hand injury that kept him out of the US Grand Prix three weeks ago, was a surprising disappointment, propping up the rest of the table in last place, almost three and a half seconds behind Rossi.
With much focus on the tyre-war between Bridgestone and Michelin following the resurfacing of the Brno circuit, it was the Bridgestone riders who came out on top. Nine of the top ten riders from the session were on Japanese rubber, with only Colin Edwards able to break into the top ten with Michelin.
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