TOUGH DAY FOR HOPKINS IN TURKEY
22 October 2005 - Suzuki Racing

Team SUZUKI MotoGP racer John Hopkins will start from the fifth row for tomorrow’s Grand Prix Of Turkey following a difficult day at the Istanbul Park Circuit.

Hopkins (P14, 1’54.434) has been unable to shake off the effects of a heavy cold that he has suffered with all weekend and his misery was compounded this morning when he crashed near the end of the final free practice session. Although he was unhurt in the crash it did knock back his confidence in the front end feel of the GSV-R and he was unable to give qualifying his usual 110 percent effort.

Today’s qualification practice was held in warmer conditions than had previously been experienced since the MotoGP circus came to Turkey, and lap times started to fall as a result. Today’s fastest time and pole position was recorded be Sete Gibernau on a Honda.

Tomorrow’s 22-lap race will be the penultimate round of the MotoGP World Championship and will see Hopkins line up on the grid at 15.00hrs (local time), 14.00hrs CET.

John Hopkins:

“This cold has got me feeling like crap and the crash this morning has had me riding the bike like a pussy!”

“I’m really disappointed with myself and for the whole team, I know that a lot of things were expected of me this weekend as I am the only Suzuki rider here in Turkey. I just hope that I can make a recovery overnight and be back at my best for tomorrow – as I’m sure that a top 10 position is still obtainable.”

Paul Denning – Team Manager:

“Not our best day by a long shot, which is a pity when the weekend started so promisingly and it was clear that John really enjoyed riding the track. Our relative lack of performance is down in most part to John’s physical condition which hasn’t improved since yesterday afternoon – in fact if anything it is probably worse today. We hope he feels better in the morning and will be able to concentrate fully for the 22-lap race.

“Technically there are a number of areas that need to improve dramatically, but unfortunately with what we have here in Turkey none of them can be addressed in time for tomorrow’s race.

“John needs to apply himself fully tomorrow and to do his best to get over his ailments and his slight lack of confidence and show us and Suzuki fans what he is made of. It’s not going to be an easy race for the rider or for the tyres but we hope to improve over today’s position.”

Grand Prix Of Turkey Qualifying Practice Classification

1. Sete Gibernau (Honda) 1’54.334: 2. Marco Melandri (Honda) +0.129: 3. Nicky Hayden (Honda) +0.642: 4. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) +0.843: 5. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) +0.885: 6. Toni Elias (Yamaha) +0.896: 7. Makoto Tamada (Honda) +1.333: 8. Alex Barros (Honda) +1.385: 9. Carlos Checa (Ducati) +1.502: 10. Shinya Nakano (Kawasaki) +1.689: 14. JOHN HOPKINS (TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP) +2.100:

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