2012 World Superbike
Just as the American John Hopkins was recovered from breaking his throttle hand at Phillip Island, the FIXI Crescent Suzuki World Superbike rider suffered another crash.
This one occurred during a nasty high-side during a wet race one at Monza May 6. During the World SBK wreck, Hopkins broke a bone in his right foot and damaged his left hip. He was supposed to return at Donington last week, but restricted movement caused a major setback – a DNS.
But following further testing, medical specialists found “no significant long-term damage” to his hip, and he was cleared to return to action at Miller Motorsports Park May 28.
The FIXI Crescent Suzuki team reports that Hopkins will still need to undergo a series of painkilling injections to combat the discomfort in both his hip and his foot, but that he is fully committed to racing and determined to get back on the FIXI Crescent Suzuki GSX-R and do everything in his power to get a good result on home soil.
John Hopkins (FIXI Crescent Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike) says: “I was so disappointed to miss Donington Park, where I’m sure I could have been in that crazy fight for the win! It’s been a really rough ride physically over recent times, and there were some real worries over the hip condition, but I know I have a lot more to give and that my luck has to change for the better. The team, my family and close friends have been really supportive and I just want to get back into what I know I can do best.
“I am fully committed to racing at Miller and I will be doing everything possible from now and up to the race weekend to ensure that I do whatever I can to get the best result possible for FIXI Crescent Suzuki, me and everyone involved. It won’t be easy, so I plan to take it step-by-step, enjoy the riding; and build back into it.”
Jack Valentine (FIXI Crescent Suzuki Team Manager) says: “This is great news and certainly a big boost for the team! We are all delighted to have John back for Miller and after such a positive weekend at Donington – where the GSX-R showed it was able to run at podium pace – it is equally important to get him back out there with Leon so we can continue to take steps forward. I know it will be difficult for him as he will have to overcome the pain, but there will be no pressure from us and John’s a tough cookie as recent history has shown!”
