John Hopkins will not be racing tomorrow during the Czech GP, as the Rizla Suzuki rider broke two fingers during a crash in the final free practice session.
Hopkins, who was racing as a wildcard for the Rizla Suzuki team, will sit out tomorrow's race in order to ensure that he is healthy for the final rounds of the British Superbike series.
"I guess disappointed is the only word that can sum up how I feel," Hopkins said. "I must apologize to the whole team for making such a stupid mistake out there this morning. It was the smallest crash under braking in the wet conditions and as I slid along I kept my hand on the ground to try and slow me down, but as soon as I hit the gravel it went in and mangled my hand right up.
"I've fractured three fingers on my right hand. The index and middle finger are just normal fractures that probably wouldn't have kept me off the bike, but the third finger has separated and split down the middle from the knuckle. It's not a case of pain, strength or anything like that; it's simply that I can't bend the finger or both bones could come through the skin, so it would have been impossible to hold on to the bike."
Hopkins was a regular in the MotoGP from 2002-2008, but a series of injuries have hindered the American's progress in premier class racing. But Hopkins is determined to re-establish himself as a MotoGP rider.
"This is just another small setback in my journey to get back to full time MotoGP," Hopkins said. "I'll stay here the rest of the weekend and give my full support to the team and do whatever I can to express my gratitude to them for giving me this opportunity. This is not the last time you'll see me at a Grand Prix; I'm still destined to be back here, whether it's this year or next I don't know, but I will be back here!"
