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HOPKINS FRUSTRATED WITH MECHANICAL PROBLEMS:
ASSEN, Netherlands – John Hopkins’ frustration with the seemingly constant problems of Suzuki’s GSV-R Grand Prix machine boiled over Thursday after the first qualifying session of the Dutch TT. The young Californian sat helplessly on the sidelines much of the session with the bike experiencing numerous gearbox and electrical malfunctions.
“I want to make it clear that I’m still happy to be a part of a factory team at the highest level of motorcycle racing. However, I feel that the poor performance of our bike is preventing me from showing my true capabilities as a rider. Instead of making progress, we seem to be going backwards at the moment.”
Hopkins qualified a disappointing 18th in Thursday’s session with a time of 2:03.363. His time was nearly three seconds off the provisional pole set by defending world champion Valentino Rossi. Hopkins missed half of the session because of machine breakdowns. Qualifying continues Friday in preparation for Saturday’s TT.
“I’m trying to maintain a positive attitude,” Hopkins continued. “But it’s difficult when you are sitting there watching the other riders go by as my bike is being worked on. I hope that Suzuki will listen very closely to what myself, Kenny and other riders are saying, as well as the mechanics that work everyday with the machine. I believe when that happens then progress is possible. I know I have the skills to run up front and even win a Grand Prix. I just want to help Suzuki to produce a motorcycle that will give me the chance to prove what I can do.”
Hopkins comes into the Dutch TT ranked 16th in the world championship standings. His best result so far this season was a seventh in the Spanish Grand Prix. Last year Hopkins qualified tenth fastest at Assen with a time of 2:02.764.
