Hopkins confirms he will miss remainder of WSB season

Following reports last week that John Hopkins could miss the final three rounds of the World Superbike Championship, the 26 year old American has confirmed he will sit out the rest of the season.

Hopkins was struck by another rider on the opening lap of the first race at the Nurburgring in Germany and taken to hospital. Despite being given the all clear by doctors the Stiggy Honda rider gained a second opinion from his own surgeon after returning home to California.

He said: “I travelled back to the United States on Monday and spent Tuesday undergoing MRI scans on my head, my left shoulder, right wrist and my hip. My doctor [Dr. Ting] reviewed the scans and found a big bruise and bleeding on the brain.

“I had to see a Neurologist to determine the severity of the condition and he has confirmed the bruise on the brain, but no further bleeding. My shoulder has tendon and ligament damage which require surgery, as well as my wrist. For the next six to eight weeks I have been instructed to rest and then have another scan to see if the bruising has gone.

“These weeks should be enough for my body to get back to normal, get the bones back in order and get my stamina, strength and overall fitness back up to par, which in return should raise my confidence and hunger to win!

“All the injuries I sustained over the past year and a half have made it difficult for me to get into a constant training regime, and have left me with a mental disadvantage going into recent races. I wish my team all success for the remaining three rounds.”