Former MotoGP star John Hopkins will make his Yamaha MCE British Superbike debut when he and team-mate Stuart Easton begin their winter programme at the Cartagena Pro-Test next week.

The Californian has switched from Ducati to the R1 this season in ex-champ Tommy Hill’s team and will begin with four days in the Spanish sunshine.

“I saw so much of the Yamaha on track last year and I have to say I am so, so excited to get started. I visited the team workshop in December when I was back in the UK for Christmas and Tommy [Hill] and the team were doing a great job then and I know it has moved on a lot behind the scenes since I was last there,” said Hopkins.

“I haven’t ridden a race bike since the end of last season, but that is a heck of time less than it was when I came back with the Ducati last year so I can’t wait. I am looking forward to getting acquainted with the team and making a long-awaited debut with the ePayMe Yamaha – bring it on.”