WSB Assen: Hopkins ruled out with dislocated hip

John Hopkins is out of this weekends WSB race in Assen following a crash in first practice leaving the American with a dislocated left hip.

The Stiggy Honda rider, competing in only his second WSB event after making his debut in Valencia three weeks ago, highsided his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade at turn 11 just 12 minutes and four laps into the session.

Hopkins was taken to the Clinica Mobile for initial assessment before being transferred to hospital in Assen.

Team boss Johan Stigefelt said: “He lost the rear. From the data his lap doesn’t look any different to the one before.

“If anything he had less throttle, but he was a bit faster into the corner which may mean he ran a little wide and the track is still very dirty.

“At this point we don’t know exactly, we’ll have to wait to speak with John later.”

The crash continues Hopkins’ nightmare form at the Assen track. In 2008 onboard the Kawasaki MotoGP bike the 25 year old suffered horrific leg injuries when he lost the front and crashed into the barrier breaking his left ankle and Tibia in the process.

He now faces a race against time to be fit for the fifth round of the championship at Monza in two weeks time.