SUPERBIKES: Hopkins runs well for Stiggy Racing Honda at Imola

Following his eighth place at Donington Park, John Hopkins' rehabilitation continued during last week's two-day official WSB test at Imola, but the Stiggy Racing Honda man again had to cut proceedings short after having a near-crash earlier in the test. The Anglo-American, who at that point had recorded the sixth fastest time of 1'49.443s, had to sit out the final session and seek medical advice, but an examination at the circuit revealed no further damage had been done to his previously injured hip bone. WorldSBK.com caught up with John Hopkins at Imola to see how he was approaching his difficult return to racing.

So have you had any discomfort over the past couple of days?

"I actually had a big moment midday yesterday when I was following Fabrizio, lost the rear, the thing came back and just pumped on me really hard. It caused quite a bit of pain in my hip, so this morning it was painful. There was a little bit of swelling so we decided to go and get some X-rays. It shows that the bone looks pretty clear like it's really fragile at the moment so we've got to get a bunch of tests from the specialists. The right side looks completely solid, then the left side is completely see-through."

Are you happy with your performance at Imola?

"Yes, especially this morning. I always go better on a track once I sleep on it. Imola is all right, reminds me of Road Atlanta, a lot of uphill downhill and a real technical track, quite a few chicanes. I enjoy it. The chicane is all right, but it's a bit of an awkward turn."

The next race is at Brno, a track you are familiar with....

"Yes, I got my best ever result in MotoGP, a second place, plus we tested there last week and everything went well so can't wait to get there and finally be 100% fit. I'm getting along well with the bike now, we've got a good set up and good feeling, and I think we can definitely improve on our eighth place at Donington, that's for sure."

So what sort of result would you be happy with from here until the end of the season?

"Every rider wants to win but reasonably I think we should just concentrate on getting ourselves on the podium first, race a little bit more with Leon and I think we can achieve that as the season goes on."