HOPKINS IN QATAR FRONT ROW BID
01 October 2004 - Rizla-Suzuki

Team Suzuki MotoGP rider John Hopkins overcame injury problems to mount a strong challenge for a front row start in Saturday’s first-ever Qatar GP, placing third overall with only minutes to go in the session.

But the Anglo-American admitted later “I mistimed it” and by the end of the session five riders had run faster laps on the rapidly improving track, putting “Hopper” eighth overall.

New temporary team-mate Yukio Kagayama was 18th fastest in his first ever ride on the latest Suzuki GSV-R MotoGP prototype. It was the Japanese star of British Superbike racing’s first time also on Bridgestone tyres.

Hopkins’s injuries – three broken ribs and a gash on his buttocks – were incurred two weeks ago at the Japanese GP at Motegi, when he was one of five innocent first-corner victims of a crashing Loris Capirossi, who was also eliminated from the race. Hopkins bravely elected to race this weekend in spite of the obvious pain.

Team-mate Kenny Roberts Jr. was involved in the same crash and suffered more serious injuries, including fractures and ligament damage when his left elbow was dislocated. Roberts will be out for this and the next two races and Kagayama is replacing him here and at next weekend’s Malaysian GP at Sepang. Two weeks ago Kagayama secured third overall in the highly competitive British Superbike series and had been scheduled to return home to Japan for corrective surgery before the call came to join the MotoGP team. Kagayama sustained serious pelvic injuries in the British Superbike series last year.

The Qatar GP is the first-ever Middle-Eastern GP, and the first race also on the brand-new 5.380km Losail circuit, outside the capital Doha. The unused surface made for problems for all riders. Dusty and very slippery in the morning’s free practice, it had improved enough for lap times to be cut by a full six seconds in the timed afternoon session. The much-improved grip was only on the racing line however, where fresh rubber had been laid down – and straying off that narrow line was precarious. Both Suzuki riders had minor off-track excursions during the afternoon, but their problems were put in the shade by defending champion Valentino Rossi, with three high-speed runs across the extensive gravel-traps.

Today’s practice took place in blazing heat. One more day of qualifying remains before Saturday’s GP, with the expectation that lap times will get faster again as the track improves.

JOHN HOPKINS – Eighth Position, 2:03.301
It’s going pretty well so far, though the track is so dirty and slippery that it’s going to be a big problem for a bike that doesn’t yet have the best speed. If we get passed on the straight there’s nowhere to get anyone back. Overtaking is virtually impossible and I don’t see that changing. The grip built up on-line in the afternoon, but it’s still so slippery off-line that if you tried to go underneath somebody, you’d both crash. I had a small engine problem in the middle of the session that cost me some time when I wanted to put the laps in to test race tyres. But I love the layout of the track and I’m having fun round it. My ribs are bothering me a little on the bike, but while riding through pain is a hindrance, it doesn’t really bother me. Nor does the heat. I have high hopes, so we’ll go on taking it day by day. One thing I don’t want to see is dust storms overnight, making the track slippery again tomorrow morning.

YUKIO KAGAYAMA – 18th Position, 2:05.062
I tried my best, but my position is not enough so far. But I am getting a lot of information on my technique and on settings for the bike. It’s the first time this year I have ridden the GSV-R, and it feels very different to last year’s machine. The performance is very high compared with my Superbike. Also I have never ridden on Bridgestones before, but the track cond itions mean I can’t really say much about them now. This morning there was no grip, though it was a little better in the afternoon. I don’t mind the heat … it’s just the same at the Suzuka Eight-Hour race.

GARRY TAYLOR – Team Manager
John’s doing really well, coming here carrying uncomfortable injuries from Motegi. He was very well placed until the very end and he is the top Bridgestone runner even though he lost positions at the end. It’s always a lot of fun having Yukio in the pit. He has postponed important corrective surgery after his horrendous injuries last year to take Kenny’s place. He’s a very tough guy. It’s his first time on the bike and the Bridgestones, so he has a lot to learn in a short time.

Friday Qualifying:

1. Rubens Xaus SPA (Ducati), 2’01.309
2. Colin Edwards, USA (Honda), 2’01.617
3. Sete Gibernau, SPA (Honda), 2’01.882
4. Carlos Checa, SPA (Yamaha), 2’02.744
5. Max Biaggi, ITA (Honda), 2’03.054
6. Valentino Rossi, ITA (Yamaha), 2’03.274
7. Nicky Hayden USA (Honda), 2’03.274
8. John Hopkins, USA (Suzuki), 2’03.301
9. Shinya Nakano, JPN (Kawasaki), 2’03.356
10. Neil Hodgson, GBR (Ducati), 2’03.380
11. Alex Barros, BRA (Honda), 2’03.422
12. Loris Capirossi ITA (Ducati), 2’03.615
13. Alex Hofmann, GER (Kawasaki), 2’03.621
14. Makoto Tamada, JPN (Honda), 2’03.919
15. Troy Bayliss, USA (Ducati), 2’04.005
18. Yukio Kagayama, JPN (Suzuki), 2’05.062

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