Hopkins lined up as Suzuki reserve
Added on Friday, February 11th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor
Hopkins lined up as Suzuki reserve
John Hopkins has been lined up as a reserve rider for the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team in 2011, marking him for a potential return to the team that he left in 2007.
The American rider, who will ride for the Crescent Suzuki British Superbikes team, has been pencilled in as reserve rider for the MotoGP team by owner Paul Denning and will be on standby throughout the season in case of any injury to the Alvaro Bautista.
Bautista will be Suzuki’s sole rider in the 2011 championship as the manufacturer continues to cut costs in its racing operations.
“With only one rider we’ve got to think carefully about a back-up plan, in case something goes wrong,” Denning said.
“We’re obviously very much hoping that we don’t have to call on it at any point, because we’re putting everything behind Alvaro and that’s the priority. But we have an obligation to Suzuki, to Rizla and to all the team’s partners to be at all the races so we do need to have a plan.
“John is available, he’s got experience and he’s fit and focused, and so he would seem to be the right man to do that job.”
