HOPKINS RETURNS IN 2014 AS AMERICAN SENSATION JOINS TYCO SUZUKI Former MotoGP star John Hopkins missed out on the 2011 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship title by just 0.006 seconds but now he is ready to return in 2014 as he joins the Tyco Suzuki team in a bid to become the first American rider to secure the title. Hopkins’ much-anticipated return to the MCE BSB paddock follows his return to fitness after a hip operation earlier in the year. The Californian is now fully recovered and determined to secure a maiden title, having scored five wins and a further eleven podium finishes during his debut season in 2011 for Suzuki. He just missed out the championship in an unforgettable final lap duel with Briton Tommy Hill. ‘Hopper’ will be joined by a second rider at the Northern Irish team, with an announcement due in the coming weeks on who will line up alongside the American, who finished fourth in the 2007 MotoGP World Championship season. Hopkins said: “I’m really excited to be coming back to BSB in 2014 and delighted to be joining Tyco Suzuki. It’s been a long year away from racing getting my body healthy and I’m feeling good. I feel better than I have done in a lot of years and I’m really excited to be getting back out on track, especially on the Suzuki GSX-R1000. I really feel like I’ve got a point to prove in the British Superbike Championship, so as I say I can’t wait to get out there on track and do some riding.” Team Manager Philip Neill concluded: “Hopper really was the man we wanted for 2014 and we are excited to announce this agreement. John has been a part of the Suzuki family for many years and having him back on a GSX-R1000 next year provides a shot of motivation to everyone at Suzuki GB, our title sponsors Tyco Security Products and indeed all our crew members at TAS Racing. BSB is such a high profile championship and produces some of the best racing in the world, and I hope the return of John Hopkins is positive news for all the BSB fans. From a Tyco Suzuki point of view, we simply can’t wait to start the new season.” For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com