Interview with John Hopkins at the NEC Bike Show

Visordown's Tim Skilton took time out with Kawasaki MotoGP racer John Hopkins at the NEC Bike Show, to find out how he's getting on with his new Kawasaki and the future of MotoGP

So John, 2007 has been a great year for you and Suzuki, you've had several podium finishes and everything seems to be going your way now, why the move to Kawasaki?

I've had 6 years with Suzuki and 5 years developing their bike and Kawasaki have a very promising package and from a motivational point of view I feel this is a very good time to focus on a new set of goals.

What was the biggest difference you noticed jumping from the GSV-R to Kawasaki's ZXRR MotoGP bike?

The Kawasaki has big horsepower right across the rev range. It holds a lot of promise for the future, however Randy de Puniet's riding style (outgoing Kawasaki rider) is vastly different to mine, so we need to work on setting up the bike for my style over the winter months.

Out of the MotoGP bikes you've ridden, 990 and 800, which do you prefer?

You need to be much more precise on an 800, you have to brake late, carry more corner speed and get on the throttle to get the maximum out of the bike. On a 990 you can afford to make some mistakes because you can make up for that with raw horsepower, which definitely gets you out of trouble!

Dovizioso has openly criticised the amount of electronic restrictors on the current MotoGP bikes. Having ridden everything from a 500 to the current 800, what are your thoughts?

The restrictors, like traction control, were too intrusive because now we can't slide the bikes in the way we used to. Obviously this makes for a faster lap time, which is why you see the 800s breaking 990 lap records, but it's not as much fun to ride and it's not nearly as good to watch.

Stoner has run away with the Championship this year. Why do you think he's had such a dominating season?

Firstly, he's a brilliant rider. Capirossi is no slow-coach but he's run rings around him. That said, the Ducati, combined with Bridgestone tyres, have been an almost unbeatable package all year. I feel for Rossi, man, because he's got his work cut-out next season. Trust me; I know how hard it's going to be for him!

Are the current 800cc MotoGP bikes easier to ride than the 500s?

For sure, it takes a certain kind of rider to master a 500. They're a peaky, nasty beast and you can either control one, or you can't. It's that simple. The current MotoGP bikes are tractable from low down and deliver predictable power. So, just about anyone can go fast one, it just takes a special rider to go REALLY fast!

Who's your all-time favourite GP racer?

Kevin Schwantz, he had such a cool riding style, he was a big inspiration to me when I first started out.

Which is your favourite circuit on the GP calendar?

Catalunya, I really enjoy the atmosphere; the Spanish crowds are so passionate about their racing. The circuit just works, flowing bends and sharp corners really suit my late-breaking riding style.

And the worst?

Sachsenring, that circuit is jinxed for me; I always seem to come away with a broken bone on some kind of injury.

If you could pick your favourite bend on the MotoGP calendar, which would it be?

The corkscrew at Laguna Seca. It's just like one big fast roller coaster ride, like tipping off the edge of a cliff.

So then, spill the beans, which of the riders get to pork the grid girls?

Hey man, I'm not spilling the beans on anyone, but, I've heard Melandri likes to get his hands dirty!