Contradictory Rumors Continue to Swirl Around Hopkins’ Plans

As we reported On Jan. 15, Team Hammer, which races under the name Team M4 Suzuki, announced on Jan. 14 that John Hopkins would test a Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., on Feb. 2-3, and that the team is negotiating with Hopkins to race the 2010 AMA American Superbike season.

However, short of a statement from Hopkins himself, rumors will continue to feed speculation.

Several websites have posted what is allegedly an English translation of a press release from FB Corse (the Italian MotoGP team that hopes to sign Hopkins to ride its prototype inline-Triple) wherein FB attempts to affirm Hopkins’ interest in riding for the Italian firm.

A piece of the FB release as found on Visordown.com states that Hopkins “remains extremely anxious to test our motorcycle, rather than a bike from a lesser category.”

However, FB also seems to reluctantly admit that it has yet to solidify a deal with Hopkins, noting that he may still be able to race in the AMA:

“In addition to remaining in peak physical condition, the rider wanted to maintain his feeling for two wheels on the racetrack, and to satisfy his natural desire to ride a racing motorcycle in his own country. It is possible for this to take place with our approval, as it is in both our interests.”

As of this writing, FB Corse’s website continues to remain unusable and is little more than a simple face page.

Related Reading:
Hopper testing with Team Hammer

By Pete Brissette