If you followed MotoGP in the mid-2000s, you couldn't have missed John Hopkins. Gifted but not always in the right place, he is undoubtedly one of the best drivers to have never won a Grand Prix, but who also came close to the worst! Born in 1983 in California to British parents, John – who has dual nationality – was always steeped in this culture. Indeed, he narrowly missed the British Superbike title in 2011 and always paid a lot of attention to these atypical and muscular races.
But long before that it all starts on a motocross. He decided to move onto the track in 1999. A choice that many young people make, seeing more opportunities and a new world to discover. At only 19 years old, he is already very talented on large cars and masters his ranges. He quickly made his way to the highest level. in 2002: MotoGP opened its doors to him. A direct arrival in the premier category is rare but ultimately quite common for the Americans, the culture of skiing helping.
Speaking of sliding: he was spotted by the WCM Yamaha Red Bull Team, where Gary McCoy holds orders. From the gifted Australian, he can continually learn the mastery of the unforgivable 500cc. His rookie year was quite honest for his young age, which led to him being fished out by Suzuki. Since Kenny Roberts Jr.'s title in 2000, the brand is somewhat in dire straits. The American keeps the team at arm's length, while Sete Gibernau is having a lot of problems. Moreover, this year marks the Spaniard's last within the Japanese house.
John Hopkins in 2006, on Mugello, on the magnificent official Suzukis.
The context is therefore favorable to the arrival of Hopkins : a team in reconstruction, with a Roberts Jr. at the end, a less powerful machine which can allow bursts in the rain and highlight the driving. However, the American duo didn't expect that at all. At the beginning of 2003, mass was said. The GSV-R, which was sometimes on the podium, is in complete decline. With 43 points scored between them over the season (John in 17th place overall, two places ahead of his teammate), Suzuki performs one of the worst exercises in its historyeven appearing behind Aprilia in the manufacturer's championship.
If Roberts Jr. took the pole by miracle in Rio de Janeiro the following year, the results were no better. But once again, John is ahead of his teammate overall. Hard to shine in such conditions. After three years of struggle – 2005 included – the arrival of new development people and a powerful sponsor seem to bring a smile back to the Suzuki teams. Once again, the context is perfect: Roberts Jr. is no longer there because he was replaced by Chris Vermeulen, Hopkins becomes No. 1 driver. This can therefore help him overcome his reputation as a sometimes hazardous pilot.
That's what clicked: “Hopper” got closer and even scored a pole at Assen, the first and only one of his career. The transition from 990cc to 800cc does not scare him: while the new displacement is far from unanimously accepted, the “ dark horse » (where black horse) makes the transition perfectly. Author of a magnificent season punctuated by four podiums, the American managed to place himself in fourth place among the drivers, two places ahead of his more popular teammate. His rating increases at the same time as a fast-growing team looks after him: Kawasaki.
Hopkins on Kawasaki, a mirage.
While everyone saw him continuing his journey with Suz' to hope to glean victories, 'Hopper' made the choice to join the greens for 2008. Too daring a decision. There is no suspense: from the start of 2008, Hopkins is far from the pace he showed a year earlier. In Assen, he put in an absolutely monstrous volume in a fast sector in qualifying. A most impressive, terrifying fall. As the spectators hold their breath, John “only” suffers from a broken ankle. That day, the MotoGP gods were on his side.
At the end of the year, Kawa' announced his withdrawal from the category, leaving Hopkins in the lurch. After this dark season, we only saw him on rare occasions on Suzuki to replace Alvaro Bautista in 2011, among others. A sad end for someone who, given his talent, could have joined the greats of this sport: his 2007 season does not lie. But the latter can thank all the gods of the Earth for not having been severely damaged in the Netherlands.
Do you have a specific memory of John Hopkins?
Tell us in the comments!
We miss them, these Kawasaki…
