John Hopkins makes BSB return on Moto Rapido Ducati

Former MCE British Superbike championship runner-up John Hopkins has made his first return to the series since the end of the 2014 season, taking to the track at Brands Hatch on the Moto Rapido Ducati ahead of his return to racing later this month.

Squeezing in three sessions of testing during lunchtime at a trackday at the Kent circuit that will serve as the venue for the next round of the series, the American says he’s immediately impressed by the feeling of the Panigale.

“The power of the engine is impressive – really nice – and the torque is just awesome! It handles really well too, really responsively, and I’m just looking forward to getting some more laps under my belt.”

The former MotoGP podium finisher will return for the Brands Hatch round to deputise for the injured Jakub Smrz, who broke his thumb in a crash during qualifying at Snetterton two weeks ago.