ePayMe Yamaha’s John Hopkins has one goal for this year’s MCE British Superbike series, and that is to be crowned champion. Five years ago he came so close to taking the title but had to settle for the runner-up spot, and in the end was beaten by his now team manager, Tommy Hill.
Now the American has ambitions once again to win consistently, and is content that he has a race package that can be victorious and challenge with the other top riders.
His team have the 2015 BSB championship winning R1 package in their garage and after a solid pre-season testing programme Hopkins has the belief that he can be competitive right from the start of the first round at Silverstone. He knows it will not be easy, especially with the high calibre of racers lining up on the starting grid.
“The testing what we have had has been really successful and we will be starting right at the front of the field. There are loads of riders who will be competitive,” said Hopkins, speaking to bikesportnews.com at Donington Park.
“You cannot ever count out Shane, Haslam and Ellison, and everyone is going to be quite quick but in any given weekend there is a good fifteen guys that can all finish well inside the top five, so it will be a very competitive year.
“I just do my own thing and I know what is expected of me and if I can get into the rivals heads then that is all the better. I am going out to try and win the championship and if they are tipping me for it then it is good and means I am in their head and that’s the plan.”
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