If you followed MotoGP in the mid-2000s, you couldn't have missed John Hopkins. Gifted but not always in the right place, he is undoubtedly one of the best drivers to have never won a Grand Prix.
Born in 1983 in California to British parents, John – who has dual nationality – was always steeped in this culture. Indeed, he narrowly missed the British Super Bike title in 2011 and always paid a lot of attention to his atypical and muscular races.
But long before that, it all starts on a motocross. He decided to move onto the track in 1999. A choice that many young people make, seeing more opportunities and a new world to discover.
At only 19 years old, he is already very talented on large cars and masters his ranges. He quickly made his way to the highest level. in 2002, MotoGP opens its doors to him. A direct arrival in the premier category is rare but ultimately quite common for the Americans, the culture of skiing helps.
Speaking of sliding: he was spotted by the WCM Yamaha Red Bull Team, where Gary McCoy was in charge. From the gifted Australian, he can continually learn the mastery of the unforgivable 500cc.
His rookie year was quite honest for his young age, which led to him being spotted by Suzuki. Since the title of
Kenny Roberts Jr.
In 2000, the brand was somewhat in dire straits.
The American keeps the team at arm's length, while Sete Gibernau is having a lot of problems. Moreover, this year will mark the Spaniard's last within the Japanese house.
The context is therefore favorable to the arrival of Hopkins: a team in reconstruction, with a Roberts Jr. at the end, a less powerful machine which can allow bursts in the rain and highlight the driving.
However, the American duo didn't expect that at all. At the beginning of 2003, mass was said. The GSV-R, which was sometimes on the podium, is in complete decline. With 43 points scored between them over the season (John in 17th place overall, two places ahead of his teammate), Suzuki is having one of the worst years in its history, even appearing behind Aprilia in the manufacturer's championship.
If Roberts Jr. took the pole by miracle in Rio de Janeiro the following year, the results were no better. But once again, John is ahead of his teammate at the end of the season.
Hard to shine in such conditions.
After three years of struggle (2005 included), the arrival of new development people and a powerful sponsor seem to bring a smile back to the Suzuki teams. Once again, the context is perfect: Roberts Jr. is no longer there because he was replaced by
Chris Vermeulen, Hopkins becomes No. 1 driver. This can therefore help him overcome his reputation as a sometimes hazardous pilot.
This is the trigger: “Hopper” got closer and even scored a pole at Assen, the first and only one of his career. The transition from 990cc to 800cc does not scare him: while the new displacement is far from unanimously accepted, the “dark horse” (or black horse) makes the transition perfectly.
Author of a magnificent season punctuated by four podiums, the American managed to place himself in fourth place among the drivers, two places ahead of his more popular teammate. His rating increases at the same time as a booming team looks after him: Kawasaki.
While everyone saw him continuing his journey with Suz' to hope to glean victories, “Hopper” chose to join the greens for 2008. Too daring a decision. There is no suspense: from the start of 2008, Hopkins is far from the pace and the face he displayed a year ago.
In Assen, he put in an absolutely monstrous volume in a fast sector in qualifying. A most impressive, terrifying fall. As spectators hold their breath, John “only” suffers from a broken ankle.
That day, the MotoGP gods were with him.
At the end of the year, Kawa' announced his withdrawal from the category, leaving Hopkins in the lurch. After this dark year, we will only see him again on a few occasions on Suzuki to replace Bautista in 2011, among others. A sad end for a man who, given his talent, could have joined the greats of this sport:
his 2007 season does not disappoint. But the latter can thank all the gods of the Earth for not having been severely damaged in the Netherlands.
Cover photo: Christianb_7