John Hopkins looking forward to Valencia debut

John Hopkins reckons he can’t wait to make his World Superbike debut in Valencia this weekend.

The American made his first appearance on the Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR in wet conditions at the Almeria circuit in Spain yesterday (Monday) and he will make his race debut in the third round of WSB this weekend.

And the former factory Suzuki and Kawasaki MotoGP rider said he was simply looking forward to being involved in some close racing again after a torrid 2008 campaign.

He told MCN: “It was funny because when I tested with Kawasaki at the last test in Phillip Island, Suzuki’s World Superbike team was there and I was behind (Yukio) Kagayama and (Max) Nuekirchner a couple of times.

“It was crazy because I’d catch up to them and sit behind and it was wild. Their bikes were moving on the way in, sliding the rear on the way out of the corners and the bike was moving around a lot.

“I was sat behind them thinking that looks like a whole lot of fun. Those dudes were just having a ball and it looked like a real fun bike to ride.

“So I can’t wait for some of that this weekend. I just hope to have some fun and be involved in some close action. I know it will be tough but I can’t wait.”