WSBK: John Hopkins fit for home US return

John Hopkins has been given the all clear to return to World Superbike action for his home US round, to be held at Miller Motorsports Park from May 26-28. The Fixi Crescent Suzuki star was forced to skip last weekend's Donington Park round due to right foot and left hip injuries suffered at the previous Monza event. On his return to California, Hopkins visited specialists to have further scans and to diagnose the severity of the injury. After an entire day of tests it was revealed that no significant long term damage had occurred in the hip joint and he will be able to return to race action at Miller. But Hopkins will still need to undergo a series of painkilling injections to combat the discomfort in both his hip and his foot. “I was so disappointed to miss Donington Park, where I'm sure I could have been in that crazy fight for the win!” said Hopper, who also missed round one of this season through injury. “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.” Team manager Jack Valentine is naturally delighted to have Hopkins' back. “This is great news and certainly a big boost for the team!” he said. “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 [Camier] 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!”Team-mate Leon Camier claimed Crescent's best result of the season with fourth place in race two at Donington Park, where Hopkins was replaced by BSB rider Peter Hickman, who has now lost his MSS Kawasaki ride as a result.