Hopkins to BSB rumours: The facts

Crescent Suzuki have admitted they are courting former MotoGP star John Hopkins to race in BSB next year.

Rumours that the American may ride for Crescent Suzuki in BSB next year surfaced on the web yesterday but the facts are that Crescent, Hopkins, a title sponsor and Crescent’s commercial partners have been in discussion for some time but nothing is finalized.

The reason Crescent haven’t gone public with anything official until now, is that they didn’t want to jeopardise negotiations or alert rival teams to their plans.

However, to clarify the position team boss Jack Valentine told MCN this morning: “At present Crescent are still exploring their options for 2011.

“After being a major player in BSB for many years it is important for Crescent to still be involved at a high level in the series next year and beyond, with either a one or two-rider team.

“It is important we have good commercial partners in place to generate the budget required and also the right level of rider/riders to not only deliver results, but also to add an exciting dimension for the team, fans and the BSB Championship, for example when we ran Sylvain Guintoli in 2009.

“Therefore to answer the rumours which are doing the rounds. Yes, Crescent are in discussions with former MotoGP star John Hopkins, who is now fully fit again and finished on the podium in the last two rounds of the AMA series.

“John is excited at the possibility of coming to BSB and we are working very hard to make this happen.

“We are also in discussion with other riders and potential sponsors which, if these develop in a positive way, will see Crescent running a two-rider team in 2011.”