Former MotoGP rider John Hopkins has undergone successful surgery after dislocating his hip during Friday practice for last weekend’s Assen round of the World Superbike Championship.
“I have never been in so much pain in my whole life even though I have been in a few crashes!” said Hopper of his accident. “I was thrown into the air and landed on he track with my feet first. After an agonising wait in the hospital, I felt slightly better when my hip was put back into place, but on Saturday morning I just felt like I had been run over by a train. Fortunately, my wife made a surprise visit to see me in Assen and supported me throughout the long flight back home.”
Hopkins will miss the forthcoming rounds in Monza and South Africa, but is expected to return in time for his home US round at the Miller Motorsport Park on May 31.
“I will now start my therapy in a couple of days and have set my goal on being ready to race again in the US round,” stated Hopkins.“It is a shame this nasty crash happened, as the bike felt really good straight out of the box on Friday morning, and was looking forward to competing for a top position”.
Team-mate Leon Haslam took two podium finishes at Assen and now holds third in the world championship standings.
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