Hopkins making progress despite poor finishes

John Hopkins believes that his Tyco Suzuki team have finally started to make progress with the GSX-R1000, with promising chassis development making a difference at Snetterton despite his seventh and ninth placed finishes at the Norfolk track.

“I feel like we have made good progress with the chassis and I was actually having to sit up and literally wait on the guys in front at times to peel into corners today we were carrying so much more corner speed,” the American said afterwards.

“Unfortunately we didn’t have the grunt this weekend to just power past them on the straights, which means we closed in then dropped off in different areas of the track and that was frustrating. At least we were in there fighting and moving forward.“

With the power advantages of some of his rivals cut by the short track at Knockhill – at 1.3 miles, it is second only to Brands Hatch’s Indy track – the former runner up should have more chance of breaking into the top six as he continues to chase a Showdown spot. 

“I’ve come back fitter and stronger [after the six week break], and we must now focus on the next round at Knockhill and improve on these results and get up to the sharp end and start pushing well into that top six in the championship.”

Despite a lacklustre start to the season, Hopkins remains 8th overall in the championship, giving him a fighting chance of a top six spot. He currently sits 10 points off current sixth placed man Chris Walker, but has yet to take a podium credit.