Chaz Davies linked with Kawasaki MotoGP ride

British rider Chaz Davies has been linked with replacing injured John Hopkins in Kawasaki’s factory MotoGP squad for the forthcoming American GP at Laguna Seca.

The Daytona 200 winner is under consideration to take Hopkins’ vacant ZX-RR, with the American ruled out until the Brno GP on August 17 at the earliest.

Hopkins is facing surgery on his left ankle and knee after he hit a trackside advertising banner at 140mph during qualifying for last weekend’s Dutch GP at Assen.

Kawasaki is unlikely to replace Hopkins in next weekend’s German GP at the Sachsenring, but is considering a substitute for Laguna Seca on July 20 because the race is crucial for team sponsor and energy drink giant Monster.

Davies, who rides for the Attack Kawasaki in the AMA series, had previously been linked with a Laguna Seca wild card as Kawasaki considered running three bikes in the race.

Davies was a leading contender following injury to preferred candidate Roger Lee Hayden earlier this season. The British rider is in the frame again having contested last year’s US GP for the D’Antin Ducati squad when he stepped in as an 11th hour replacement for injured German Alex Hofmann.

MCN understands though the ride could be given to Kawasaki American superbike rider Jamie Hacking.