Hopper struggles in Oz

John Hopkins’ blistering start to the new 800cc MotoGP era stalled in Phillip Island.

The American, who was only just beaten to being fastest by seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi last week in Malaysia, ended the Australian test 11th quickest overall. 

But alarmingly he slumped to last position on race tyres, ending the test a massive 1.6s adrift of Dani Pedrosa who was fastest on race rubber.

Highlighting the Rizla Suzuki rider’s problems was the fact he was 0.8s slower on Bridgestone’s super-soft qualifying tyre than Pedrosa’s best on race tyres on board the new Honda RC212V.

Hopkins stopped early to avoid being too downbeat before he flew home to California.

He said: “We were just digging a hole. It was better to stop early than just keep banging our heads against a brick wall. 

“We turned the bike upside down but without much impact on the lap time. But I can’t just blame the bike and the set-up, I’ve got improve my riding before we come back here for the race.”

Phillip Island has been a circuit where Suzuki has traditionally struggled and Aussie team-mate Chris Vermeulen was only ninth fastest on race tyres out of the 13 riders testing Down Under. 

On best times, Vermeulen was eighth having clocked his best of 1.30.34 on a Bridgestone qualifying tyre.

He said: “I’m actually leaving more positive than I thought I would but there is no doubt this has been a tough test for us. 

“But we expected that considering how we’ve struggled here in the past.”