Former MotoGP rider John Hopkins will remain in the MCE British Superbike Championship for next year and will join former rival Tommy Hill in his THM EPayMe team.

Hill recently announced details of his new team as he returns to the Championship, with title sponsor ePayMe and fully-supported by Yamaha, and now the 2011 champ will manage the American rider with the aim of winning the title, after Hopkins missed out on taking the series by the smallest of margins from Hill four-years-ago.

Hopkins came in halfway through this season onboard the Moto Rapido Ducati and finished on the podium this weekend, now he is excited to start his next chapter of his racing career on the R1.

“Honestly I couldn’t be more excited, to be able to start the 2016 season on a Yamaha after seeing what it was capable of this year. Honestly for years, I mean years now, seeing the Yamaha Superbike out on track, I have always just thought in the back of my mind that it was a bike that would really sort my riding style. This new Yamaha R1 is truly something special and honestly I am so excited to just get my first chance to ride it and give it a go,” said Hopkins.

“I think this is possibly going to be one of the first times in my career bar none that I will have one of the most competitive machines out in the field and with that in mind I am going to do everything myself I possibly can, mentally and physically to come back and try and win this Championship. After 2011 things happened the way it did and ironically now it did.

“If someone had said to me then that I would be riding for Tommy Hill’s team I would have said no way! At that moment in time I saw red; I was happy for him as he put in a lot of work and he did win it fair and square. I am really happy and pleased with today’s news because at the end of the day it makes a really good story - racers are a really tight knit community and I am really happy for Tommy that he has got this opportunity to run such a great team. I am going to be out there trying to win that championship for us”

Team Owner, Tommy Hill added: “I am really happy to confirm John Hopkins as part of the THM ePayMe Yamaha team next year. We have secured a great two rider line-up for next season and I believe that both riders have huge potential. We will be announcing our second rider very soon.

“It’s particularly poignant to announce John here at Brands Hatch today because this is the scene of the most memorable race of both our careers and is still the most talked about race in MCE BSB history.

“We have seen what a great package the Yamaha has been in the championship this season with SMR and we have no doubt that both riders will be ready to deliver strong performances for the team in our debut year in 2016.”