Tyco Suzuki’s John Hopkins says he will return to action at this weekend’s Snetterton MCE British Superbike round a stronger and fitter rider, and with an improved bike.

The American, who hasn’t had the best of starts to his 2014 title challenge, says he has upped his game in training over the recent break and knows in which areas he needs to work to take it Shane Byrne and Josh Brookes.

I think Snetterton should be a lot better for us. I feel a lot stronger and we have some improvements to the bike for this round. I have had some good results at Snetterton in the past; I have won a race there, and although we were steady at the pre-season test there, I expect to be stronger,” said Hopkins.

“The thing for me is that the way the championship is with the Showdown allows a bit of breathing room at the start of the season, which is what we have had, and now we need to come back stronger.

"I have been putting a lot of time in since being home to work on race fitness and have spent a lot of time on both the road and motocross bikes, because when we come back for Snetterton I want to be fighting. After the first two rounds I knew where I needed to work on and I have been giving the maximum so that we are ready to get back to where we need to be for Snetterton."