Hopkins keeping '08 options open

John Hopkins has refused to rule out a move away from Suzuki’s factory MotoGP squad in 2008.

Although expressing his desire to continue his long-running relationship with the Japanese factory, the 24-year-old said he would listen to offers from rival teams before deciding on his future.

Hopkins is out of contract at the end of the season and Suzuki is expected to begin serious negotiations with him at next month’s Catalunya GP near Barcelona.

Hopkins has been with Suzuki since the beginning of the 2003 campaign and recently scored his first podium finish when he claimed third at the China GP in Shanghai.

It is not certain though whether he will be on a GSV-R V4 next season.

Speaking to MCN the Californian said: “I have a strong love for Suzuki. I’ve been with them for a long time and the bike now seems to be working really well. But a change is always good. I guess right now I’m just known as the boy in blue and it’s good to change.”

Hopkins though admitted that he would need a big offer to walk away from Suzuki, who have emerged as a major force in the early part of the new 800cc era.

As well as Hopkins’ Shanghai podium, Aussie team-mate Chris Vermeulen handed Suzuki its first four-stroke premier class success in last weekend’s rain-lashed French GP in Le Mans.

“To leave Suzuki it would be a really big feat. It would have to be a really good offer from a really, really good team for me to leave. It’s always good to change it up though and be seen in different colours every once in a while,” said Hopkins.

Asked if that was a hint that he was seriously considering switching teams in 2008, Hopkins added: “Not at all. But I got to keep my options open. If an extremely good offer comes my way then it’s going to be tough to turn down.

“I’m not stuck with Suzuki in any way but I have a very strong love for them. Past heroes of mine finished their career with Suzuki and I’ve always ridden Suzuki’s, whether it’s been moto cross or anything. To leave Suzuki it would have to be a hell of an offer.”