Hopkins set to get 2016 underway in Spanish testing

Former MCE British Superbike runner-up John Hopkins is set to get his 2016 season underway, as he prepares to line up on the grid with the all-new ePayMe Yamaha squad – managed by none other than the man who beat him to the 2011 title, Tommy Hill.

The team are set for their first run out on their manufacturer-supported Yamaha R1 machines next week at Cartagena – and the American says he can’t wait to get going after a long winter.

“It’s been a great off season and I have been preparing back home in Cali and the weather has really been ideal for training; I have been motocross, mountain biking and generally getting myself ready both mentally and physically to get back out and turn some laps again and I am ready to go. I arrived back in the UK on Wednesday, and I am so excited to get started with the new team and with the Yamaha.

“I saw so much of the Yamaha on track last year and I have to say I am so, so excited to get started. I visited the team workshop in December when I was back in the UK for Christmas and Tommy and the team were doing a great job then and I know it has moved on a lot behind the scenes since I was last there. I haven’t ridden a race bike since the end of last season, but that is a heck of time less than it was when I came back with the Ducati last year so I can’t wait. I am looking forward to getting aquatinted with the team and making a long-awaited debut with the ePayMe Yamaha – bring it on!”