Hopper to bounce back

Factory Suzuki rider John Hopkins reckons he will bounce back from the recent disappointment of his poor showing in Phillip Island when he continues his 2007 MotoGP preparations in Qatar.

Hopkins had a torrid time in Australia, finishing slowest out of the 13 riders Down Under on race tyres as his impressive winter testing campaign suffered its first setback.

Hopkins is hoping to get his plans back on track in Qatar on February 13, even though the Middle East circuit saw Suzuki suffer over a dozen engine failures during the race weekend in 2006.

The breakdown that forced Hopkins to retire from the race sparked the famous incident where the American kicked his stricken 990cc GSV-R in frustration and disappointment.

But he said: “We got to have a think about Phillip Island and come out strong in Qatar. I know we will be a lot stronger in Qatar.”

“It was more about reliability problems there last year. We had a bit of a front tyre problem but the only issue in Qatar was reliability. But that seems to have changed and going to Qatar I have high morale for that track.

“I believe the bike will work there. We struggled a bit through practice but we made a big set-up change for the race and in the race it was good and my lap times were a lot quicker.”

“I was making my way through the field so I’m very confident when we go to Qatar. It’s not my favourite track but I think we will be able to do well there. “