Shakey welcomes Hopkins to WSB

The last time Shane Byrne rode against John Hopkins was in MotoGP in 2004 and 2005.

Now four years on the reigning British Superbike Champion is relishing the opportunity of racing against the American on equal machinery.

Speaking to MCN he said:

“John’s arrival into WSB is great for the championship and personally it’s good for me. No disrespect to Aprilia or KTM, but when I raced in MotoGP I was out on track but I was only really able to potter about.

“Yeah I was out there with riders like Biaggi, Checa, Nakano and Hopkins but the only time I saw them was at the start of the race!”

Having had to spend the last three years rebuilding his career following his exploits in MotoGP, Shakey knows that he now has the bike and team behind him capable of winning – something he never had in MotoGP.

He said: “ I got a fair bit of stick when I was in GP’s so to be actually able to race these guys especially Hopper here in WSB on equal machinery is right result.”