John Hopkins (motorcyclist)

For other people named John Hopkins, see John Hopkins (disambiguation).

John "Hopper" Hopkins (born May 22, 1983)^{[citation needed]} is a former motorcycle road racer based in the United States. During 2017 he raced in the British Superbike Championship aboard a Ducati 1199 Panigale for Moto Rapido Racing,^[1] but suffered injuries from a crash at the season-finale race meeting in October, meaning he could not participate during 2018.^[2][3] He has not made a full recovery, which has so far precluded hopes of a comeback,^[4] but he has become involved in rider coaching.^[5]

John Hopkins
Nationality	American
Current team	Moto Rapido Ducati
Bike number	21
Motorcycle racing career statistics MotoGP World Championship Active years 2002–2008, 2011 Manufacturers Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki Championships 0 2011 championship position 21st (6 pts) Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points 112 0 4 1 2 563 Superbike World Championship Active years 2009, 2011–2012 Manufacturers Honda, Suzuki Championships 0 2012 championship position 19th (44 pts) Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points 28 0 0 1 0 81 British Superbike Championship Active years 2011 Manufacturers Suzuki Championships 0 2011 championship position 2nd (645 pts) Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points 23 5 16 3 2 645

From 2020, Hopkins became a rider-coach for American Racing team helping Joe Roberts and Marcos Ramirez in Moto2.^[6][7]

In a 2007 interview, he was questioned about being regarded as Anglo-American, with the interviewer commenting: "A lot of people don't understand your being British. As I understand it, your entire family moved over here from England, and you were raised here as a British family in America".^[8]

After riding a Ducati in the British Superbike Championship during the 2015 season, in 2016 he raced a Yamaha YZF-R1 for Tommy Hill's THM team partnered by Stuart Easton.

Hopkins raced previously in MotoGP, the AMA Superbike Championship, and the Superbike World Championship. He first raced in MotoGP during 2002 for the Red Bull Yamaha WCM team on a two-stroke 500 cc bike, and joined the factory Suzuki squad a year later for a five-year spell. He raced for the Kawasaki MotoGP team in 2008, but they dropped him for 2009 due to the global economic crisis and the company's uncompetitive showings. He has subsequently raced in both the World and British Superbike championships, finishing second in the 2011 British Superbike Championship season although injuries and alcohol problems have affected his results.^[9][10]

He was born to parents from Acton.^[11]

Early life

Hopkins began riding Motocross bikes as a child and won his first race on a MiniBike in 1986, switching to road racing full-time in 1999. Hopkins proposed to his girlfriend Ashleigh in the summer of 2007 on her 21st birthday. They married in Las Vegas in December 2007.

He is featured in the 2003 documentary film, Faster, and the film The Doctor, the Tornado and the Kentucky Kid (2006).

Career

MotoGP World Championship

2002

The 2002 season saw Hopkins join the WCM RedBull Yamaha team alongside multiple race winner Garry McCoy. The team was using Yamaha YZR500 motorcycles on lease from Yamaha. Overall the YZR500 was considered to be uncompetitive that year, due to a change in the regulations allowing 990 cc four-stroke motorcycles to race against 500 cc two-stroke motorcycles. Although the two-strokes held (on average) a 10 kg weight advantage over the four-strokes, they had between 30 and 50 less hp depending on the engine configuration used for the racetrack. Hopkins finished the season ranked 15th, with 58 points, which put him 25 points clear of his teammate McCoy.

2003

In 2003 Hopkins joined the Suzuki factory racing team. This year he would ride a 990 cc V4 four-stroke. In 2003 John was teamed with 2000 500cc world champion Kenny Roberts, Jr. Although he was racing a four-stroke this year, the results did not seem to come as one would have expected. There are many theories for this, including the Suzuki's lack of power and its tendency to wear out tires faster than other bikes. This year also saw Hopkins involved in a turn 1 crash at the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, he was accused of causing this crash, and was suspended for one race. This suspension resulted in a DNS (did not start) at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Also noteworthy for the 2003 season was the crash in Italy where Kenny Roberts, Jr.'s GSV-R Suzuki suffered an engine management failure and the bike launched into Hopkins, putting both GSV-R's out of the race. At the end of the season, Hopkins finished in 17th place with 29 points. This finish put him 2 places and 7 points ahead of his teammate Kenny Roberts, Jr.

2004

The technology and technical advancement of the GSV-R was further developed in 2004. Most of the refinements took place in the engine management package, making the bike easier to ride. Towards the end of the year, the GSV-R was showing clear improvements, allowing Hopkins to move up the standings. Unfortunately it also saw several mechanical failures, which effectively undid the hard work to develop the motorcycle. Having qualified on the front row at Motegi, he was eliminated in a first-corner crash. Overall, he finished 16th.

2005

Hopkins continued with Suzuki in 2005, as the team showed promising signs after the arrival of Paul Denning as team boss following Denning's success with Suzuki's British Superbike team. Hopkins briefly led at Donington, but his best result was a 5th place at Motegi, and he was 14th overall. Qualifying results were often better than race results, largely due to Bridgestone tires being better suited to short runs.

2006

Hopkins remained at Suzuki, now backed by Rizla, where he was joined by new teammate Chris Vermeulen. He enjoyed his best season yet. Hopkins finished the 2006 season in 10th place overall with 116 points. Hopkins had one pole position this season, at Assen. His best finishes were in China and in Catalunya, where he finished fourth.

2007

Continuing with Rizla Suzuki, Hopkins set near-lap-record times aboard the new 800 cc motorcycle, and was labeled the dark horse by Colin Edwards. On February 15, 2007, he fractured his wrist after falling while testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain, but returned for the start of the season.

Hopkins completed his first MotoGP podium finish at the Shanghai circuit in China, finishing in 3rd place – 3.6 seconds behind Valentino Rossi but 7.6 seconds ahead of 2006 event winner Dani Pedrosa. He finished as 4th overall in the 2007 season, two places ahead of Vermeulen and one behind Rossi.

2008

For 2008 he joined Kawasaki Racing Team. Explaining the decision, Rizla Suzuki boss Paul Denning suggested that "There are reasons for that other than performance," highlighting commercial concerns in particular.^[12] Hopkins crashed heavily at Assen, fracturing his ankle.

Prior to 2009 season, Kawasaki made the decision to halt MotoGP racing activities because of the global economic crisis, meaning that John Hopkins would not have a ride for the 2009 season.

2011

Hopkins returned to MotoGP in the Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix in April 2011 as a temporary replacement for Álvaro Bautista in the Suzuki team.^[13]

Superbike World Championship

2009

After the Kawasaki team pulled out of MotoGP, Hopkins secured a mid season ride on the Stiggy Racing Honda replacing Roberto Rolfo.^[14] Hopkins scored points during his first round in Valencia. At the next round in Assen, Hopkins would fall and dislocate his hip, Hopkins then wouldn't return until San Marino ^[15] where he couldn't complete the weekend's racing. After a career best finish in the first race at Donington, Hopkins, who was still hurt, couldn't complete the second race. Following 2 retirements at the Brno round, Hopkins would suffer a horror crash at the Nürburgring, being run over after he was taken out by Makoto Tamada and Broc Parkes, Hopkins was unconscious for ten minutes but luckily sustained no serious injuries.^[16] The Stiggy Honda team then withdrew from the World Superbike paddock leaving Hopkins once again without a ride for 2010.^[17]

2011

In 2011 Hopkins rode his Samsung Crescent Suzuki at the Silverstone World Superbike round. Hopkins was fast from the start being fastest in free practice sessions, capturing his first Superbike World Championship pole position with a new circuit record lap.^[18]

2012

In January 2012, Hopkins had his right ring-finger amputated just above the first joint up from the knuckle.

He missed the first race of the season after a testing crash, ironically breaking the knuckle below the stump from the finger he had chopped off at the start of the year.

2013

In October 2012, Hopkins announced that he would be taking the 2013 season off to recover from his injuries.^[19] In April 2013, Hopkins had hip replacement surgery following a heavy crash at Monza, but announced at the Le Mans MotoGP event in May that he would be testing again within two months.^[20]

AMA Superbike Championship

2010

After one season in SBK John Hopkins returned to United States racing - he was considered a superstar in the AMA. He raced for the M4 Monster Suzuki team.^[21]

British Superbike Championship

2011

For the 2011 season Hopkins raced in the British Superbike Championship. He rode for the Crescent Suzuki team. At Oulton Park he won the second race making history, being the first American to win a British Superbike race. Hopkins made history yet again at the new Snetterton 300 where he won the first British Superbike race.

Hopkins came within 0.006 seconds of winning the title, losing out to Tommy Hill on the last lap of the final round at Brands Hatch.

2014

On October 29, 2013, it was announced that Hopkins, after taking a year out to recover from multiple injuries, would return to the British Superbike Championship for 2014 having signed to ride for Tyco Suzuki.

2015

In July 2015; Hopkins joined the MCE British Superbike Championship, replacing Jakub Smrz for the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati. His first race took place at Brands Hatch (Round 6) where he placed 6th in Race 1 and had a DNF in Race 2.

Life after racing

Coaching career

After injuries prevented Hopkins from a comeback in racing he was offered a position as the riders' coach and race director for the American Racing team in Moto2 for the 2020 season.^[22]

Hopkins arrival had an immediate impact upon American Racing's Joe Roberts^[opinion], who at the time was the only American racing in any motorcycle road racing world championship. Roberts would take his first two pole positions, his first podium finish, and would be a consistent top ten finisher under Hopkins' tutelage. Hopkins nearly moved back to up to MotoGP when Roberts was in negotiations with Aprilia, with Aprilia making a concession to allow Hopkins to remain Roberts' rider coach should Roberts move up to MotoGP.^[23][24] Roberts ultimately declined the move to MotoGP and Hopkins stayed with American Racing.

He is the riders' coach for series veteran Marcos Ramirez and American newcomer Cameron Beaubier.^{[citation needed]}

Autobiography

Hopkins' autobiography was released in September 2021.^[25]

Career statistics

Grand Prix motorcycle racing

By season

Season	Class	Motorcycle	Team	Number	Race	Win	Podium	Pole	FLap	Pts	Plcd	WCh
2002	MotoGP	Yamaha YZR500	Red Bull Yamaha WCM	21	15	0	0	0	0	58	15th	–
2003	MotoGP	Suzuki GSV-R	Suzuki Grand Prix Team	21	14	0	0	0	0	29	17th	–
2004	MotoGP	Suzuki GSV-R	Team Suzuki MotoGP	21	15	0	0	0	0	45	16th	–
2005	MotoGP	Suzuki GSV-R	Team Suzuki MotoGP	21	17	0	0	0	0	63	14th	–
2006	MotoGP	Suzuki GSV-R	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	21	17	0	0	1	0	116	10th	–
2007	MotoGP	Suzuki GSV-R	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	21	18	0	4	0	2	189	4th	–
2008	MotoGP	Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR	Kawasaki Racing Team	21	15	0	0	0	0	57	16th	–
2011	MotoGP	Suzuki GSV-R	Rizla Suzuki MotoGP	21	1	0	0	0	0	6	21st	–
Total					112	0	4	1	2	563		0

By class

Class	Seasons	1st GP	1st Pod	1st Win	Race	Win	Podiums	Pole	FLap	Pts	WChmp
MotoGP	2002–2008, 2011	2002 Japan	2007 China		112	0	4	1	2	563	0
Total	2002–2008, 2011				112	0	4	1	2	563	0

Races by year

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Class	Bike	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	Pos	Pts
2002	MotoGP	Yamaha	JPN 12	RSA 13	SPA 14	FRA 11	ITA 12	CAT 10	NED 7	GBR 8	GER	CZE Ret	POR 8	BRA 14	PAC 14	MAL 18	AUS 16	VAL 11			15th	58
2003	MotoGP	Suzuki	JPN 13	RSA 13	SPA 7	FRA Ret	ITA Ret	CAT 15	NED 15	GBR 11	GER Ret	CZE 17	POR 18	BRA	PAC Ret	MAL	AUS 12	VAL 13			17th	29
2004	MotoGP	Suzuki	RSA 13	SPA 15	FRA Ret	ITA	CAT Ret	NED 14	BRA 15	GER 9	GBR 8	CZE Ret	POR 6	JPN Ret	QAT 8	MAL Ret	AUS 15	VAL 12			16th	45
2005	MotoGP	Suzuki	SPA 14	POR Ret	CHN 7	FRA 16	ITA 11	CAT Ret	NED 14	USA 8	GBR 11	GER DNS	CZE 14	JPN 5	MAL 9	QAT 17	AUS 10	TUR 15	VAL 13		14th	63
2006	MotoGP	Suzuki	SPA 9	QAT Ret	TUR 17	CHN 4	FRA 15	ITA 10	CAT 4	NED 6	GBR 8	GER 10	USA 6	CZE 7	MAL 6	AUS 12	JPN 12	POR 6	VAL 11		10th	116
2007	MotoGP	Suzuki	QAT 4	SPA 19	TUR 6	CHN 3	FRA 7	ITA 5	CAT 4	GBR 5	NED 5	GER 7	USA 15	CZE 2	RSM 3	POR 6	JPN 10	AUS 7	MAL 8	VAL 3	4th	189
2008	MotoGP	Kawasaki	QAT 12	SPA 7	POR 5	CHN 14	FRA Ret	ITA Ret	CAT 10	GBR Ret	NED DNS	GER	USA	CZE 11	RSM 14	INP 14	JPN 10	AUS 13	MAL 11	VAL 14	16th	57
2011	MotoGP	Suzuki	QAT	SPA 10	POR	FRA	CAT	GBR	NED	ITA	GER	USA	CZE DNS	INP	RSM	ARA	JPN	AUS	MAL C	VAL	21st	6

Superbike World Championship

Races by year

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Bike	1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		11		12		13		14		Pos	Pts
		R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2
2009	Honda	AUS	AUS	QAT	QAT	SPA 11	SPA 12	NED	NED	ITA	ITA	RSA	RSA	USA	USA	SMR DNS	SMR DNS	GBR 8	GBR DNS	CZE Ret	CZE Ret	GER Ret	GER DNS	ITA	ITA	FRA	FRA	POR	POR	23rd	17
2011	Suzuki	AUS	AUS	EUR	EUR	NED	NED	ITA	ITA	USA	USA	SMR	SMR	SPA	SPA	CZE	CZE	GBR 5	GBR 7	GER	GER	ITA	ITA	FRA	FRA	POR	POR			19th	20
2012	Suzuki	AUS	AUS	ITA 13	ITA Ret	NED Ret	NED 11	ITA C	ITA DNS	EUR	EUR	USA Ret	USA 16	SMR 17	SMR 14	SPA 15	SPA Ret	CZE 15	CZE 14	GBR Ret	GBR 10	RUS 9	RUS 12	GER 13	GER 13	POR 12	POR 11	FRA DNS	FRA DNS	19th	44

AMA Superbike Championship

Races by year

(key)

Year	Bike	1		2		3		4		5		6		7	8		9		10		Pos	Pts	Ref
		R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2
2010	Suzuki	DAY DNS	DAY Ret	FON 7	FON 5	RAT 5	RAT 5	INF	INF	RAM	RAM	M-O	M-O	LAG	VIR 15	VIR DNS	N-J 5	N-J 3	BAR 3	BAR 2	10th	151	^[26]

British Superbike Championship

Races by year

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Bike	1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8			9			10		11		12			Pos	Pts	Ref
		R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R3	R1	R2	R3	R1	R2	R1	R2	R1	R2	R3
2011	Suzuki	BHI 17	BHI 5	OUL 2	OUL 1	CRO 2	CRO 3	THR 4	THR 3	KNO 2	KNO Ret	SNE 1	SNE 3	OUL Ret	OUL C	BHGP 4	BHGP 3	BHGP 2	CAD^1	CAD^1	CAD^1	DON 1	DON 1	SIL 1	SIL 3	BHGP 3	BHGP 12	BHGP 3	2nd	645^2	^[27]

1.^ – Hopkins was not entered for the Cadwell race due to an injury he sustained during his wildcard ride for Suzuki at the MotoGP event in Brno.^[28]

2.^ – Hopkins qualified for "The Showdown" part of the BSB season, thus before the Donington Park round he was awarded 500 points plus the podium credits he had gained throughout the season. Podium credits are given to anyone finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd, with 3,2 and 1 points awarded respectively.

References

1. "John Hopkins returns to Moto Rapido Ducati". www.motorapido.co.uk. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
2. BSB: Hopkins out after paddock hill crash Motor Cycle News, October 14, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2018
3. Injury rules Hopkins out of 2018 British Superbike series Bike Sport News, January 11, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018
4. "Hopkins has hit "brick wall" with injury recovery". www.motorsport.com. January 30, 2019.
5. "John Hopkins set to work as American Racing rider coach". November 20, 2019.
6. Roberts ‘the role model for American racing’ – Hopkins bikesportnews.com, March 10, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020
7. John Hopkins set to work as American Racing rider coach motogp.com Retrieved September 15, 2020
8. SuperbikePlanet.com Interview (by Dean Adams): MotoGP Racer John Hopkins November 26, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, January 10, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2015
9. Madson, Bart (March 31, 2011). "John Hopkins Interview: Jerez MotoGP - Motorcycle USA". from the original on April 4, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
10. "Hopkins battled pain with alcohol".
11. "You're Not a Teenager Anymore, John Hopkins". May 22, 2003.
12. "Kawasaki sign Hopkins from Suzuki". bbc.co.uk. July 12, 2007. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
13. "John Hopkins set for difficult MotoGP comeback in Jerez". BBC Sport. March 28, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
14. John Hopkins signs Stiggy Honda WSB deal - | Motorcycle Sport | WSB | BSB | MotoGP | TT & Road races | MCN. Motorcyclenews.com. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
15. More Previews Of This Weekend's World Superbike Event At Misano News Article //. Roadracingworld.com (June 17, 2009). Retrieved July 26, 2012.
16. Run over Hopkins avoids serious injury | WSBK News | Sep 2009. Crash.Net (September 7, 2009). Retrieved July 26, 2012.
17. John Hopkins to race in MotoGP and American superbikes? - | Motorcycle Sport | MotoGP News | MotoGP Results | MCN. Motorcyclenews.com. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
18. Wildcard rider pushes to a new track best. Worldsbk.com (July 30, 2011). Retrieved July 26, 2012.
19. "Injury Forces John Hopkins To Take A Year Out From Racing | MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks". motomatters.com.
20. . Archived from the original on November 21, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
21. Hopkins confirmed for 2010 AMA Superbikes - Motorcycle news : Racing news. Visordown (February 1, 2010). Retrieved July 26, 2012.
22. Barstow, Ollie (December 9, 2019). "JOHN HOPKINS BACK IN MOTOGP AS AMERICAN RACING MOTO2 RIDER COACH". Visor Down. Crash Media Group. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
23. McLaren, Peter (November 20, 2020). "Portimao MotoGP: Joe Roberts 'good option for future' as Aprilia rumours grow". Crash.com. Crash Media Group.
24. "Joe Roberts "on the list" for Aprilia in 2021". MotoGP.com. Dorna.
25. John Hopkins’ “Leathered” Audible Audiobook Review – Rider’s Library ultimatemotorcycling.com, October 3, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021
26. Results amaproracing.com
27. (PDF). Motor Sport Vision. October 9, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
28. John Hopkins to miss Cadwell Park | BSB News | Aug 2011. Crash.Net (August 23, 2011). Retrieved July 26, 2012.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Hopkins (motorcycle racer).

• John Hopkins at MotoGP.com 
• John Hopkins at WorldSBK.com