Hopkins first test date confirmed

John Hopkins will get an initial shake down test onboard the Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade superbike before he arrives at Valencia for round three of the championship on 3rd to 5th April.

Hopkins and team-mate Leon Haslam will complete a one day test at the Almeria circuit in southern Spain on Monday 30th March.

It will be Hopkins’ first ride on a full blown Superbike having spent the last seven years competing in MotoGP riding 500GP two strokes, 990 and 800cc GP1 machines.

Stiggy Honda Team boss Johan Stigefelt said: “It was actually very difficult to get some quality track time, but this test in Almeria is a good start.

We have new parts with Leon, but for John it will give him the chance to learn the bike, the way we work and to gain some experience.”

MCN has learned that Hopkins will not be allowed to race with his trademark number 21 in WSB this year.

The number 21 used by triple world champion Troy Bayliss  has been taken out of service following the Australians retirement meaning that Hopkins will now race under the no. 121.