One rider who I feel is more or less the “Mark Webber” of the gp world is John Hopkins. Thrown on a gp bike perhaps a little too early, he was plagued with injuries from falls but was never short of talent. Currently riding in the British Super Bike series, he is leading the championship and looking to take the title. With a strong connection to Suzuki, which all started around the Kenny Roberts Jr era, he was recently invited to race along side Alvaro Bautista for team Rizla Suzuki at the Czech round of the gp series. Unfourtanately he was to fall and damage fingers in his right hand during first practice in what he called “a stupid mistake” but said during race commentary that he felt a top 6 placing was definately within reach for the team. Which was evident by Bautista nipping on Rossi’s heels from 7th position prior to a low side crash. 
Will he be back? Who knows, I certainly want nothing more than to see him fighting fit and on a decent package. He has all the ingredients, except for “racers luck”.
Wheel Friends 