Tyco Suzuki’s John Hopkins is back in the MCE British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch this weekend and despite not figuring highly on the pre-season test timesheets, the American is confident he can give Shane Byrne and Josh Brookes a run for their money.

Hopkins last raced in the series in 2011, losing the title to Tommy Hill by the narrowest of margins, so Hopkins, who is born to British parents, has some scored to settle this year.

I just want to get down to it. I want to spend a little time on the bike, get comfortable and up to speed and then, by say the third or fourth round, I want to be consistently on the podium. But there is a lot of competition,” said Hopkins, speaking to bikesportnews.com.

“There are some great riders out there and everyone wants the same thing. I don’t expect it to be easy but at the end of the day I think we can do it; we can take it to them. Getting so close in 2011 just makes me want it even more. I don’t want to be runner-up again, that’s for sure.”