Moto Rapido Ducati’s John Hopkins believes the way his Panigale puts its power down will be the key to success at this weekend’s Thruxton MCE British Superbike round.

The Hampshire circuit is a tyre killer, especially if the track temperature exceeds 40°, and the American reckons that the V-twin’s connection to the tarmac might prove decisive at the end of the two races.

“I think the Ducati should work well there because of the way it conserves the tyres. I mean that is the key to the race there and the biggest thing over race distance. The overall throttle response and the flow of the circuit is all about getting into a good rhythm – all things that suit the Ducati,” said Hopkins.

“I unfortunately wasn’t able to race there last year but we had two potentially really good races in 2015 going where we were right at the front in both, so I really am excited about this year. I think we will go really well there.

“Although Brands Hatch didn’t pan out on raceday the way we would have liked, I am quite confident going into Thruxton that we can have two front-running, solid results and that’s the plan.”