Qatar MotoGP: Qualifying concern for John Hopkins

Factory Kawasaki rider John Hopkins believes the first qualifying session of 2008 under floodlights on Saturday night could be tough for Bridgestone.

Bridgestone’s main weakness against rivals Michelin has been its qualifying tyre, which was highlighted again during last week’s IRTA test.

Cold temperatures added to Bridgestone’s concerns at last week’s first night test, and John Hopkins told MCN: “The qualifiers weren’t working so well for us at the test.

“It just didn’t work at all and a race tyre was much more comfortable. The problem with the qualifier is you have to ride around slowly to save the rear.

“But the by the time you have got to the second corner the front is already too cold and then it starts tucking.

And then the rear starts spinning so it is quite difficult and by the end of the lap the tyre is finished.”

Hopkins joined former factory Suzuki team-mate Chris Vermeulen in expressing his concerns about the impact low track temperatures will have on tyres.

John Hopkins added: “It was taking about three laps to get the left side up to temperature at the test.

“I followed Randy de Puniet on Michelin’s at about 11pm which is race time and I had what I consider a decent race tyre, but mine was moving around a lot more than his.”