Hopkins chops-off finger tip

FOLLOWING weeks of complications over his damaged finger, John Hopkins opted to have the top of his finger amputated.

Hopkins underwent numerous different surgeries to try and fix the damaged finger but none of them were successful. Hopkins' consultant gave him the option of removing the damaged tip of his ring finger on his right hand in order to be back on a bike within a month.

With the season opener fast approaching, Hopkins decided he'd given the finger-tip plenty of chance but it was in danger of hampering his World Superbike debut with the Crescent Suzuki squad.

After the surgery, Hopkins said: "Apart from the actual pain of the surgery, I must say that it's feeling better already. I now have about 10 days when I cannot do any physio, but then I can start again. I know the bike well and I've raced at Phillip Island before, so at least I will not be starting from scratch."