Stiggy Honda's John Hopkins looks unlikely to be fit for Sunday's two World Superbike races at Assen following a massive crash after just four laps in the first free practice session saw him taken to hospital.
Doctors have said Hopper has dislocated his hip but, thankfully, hasn't broken any bones. According to the stout chaps at motogpmatters.com, a Stiggy Honda team spokesman reckons it is highly unlikely he will take any further part in this weekend's activites, although no-one has officially said so.
" It looks like I am continuing my bad luck here in Assen two years in a row. I didn't even get five laps under my belt this time. I had a huge high-side and landed feet first, which dislocated my hip and cracked the top of my femur. For about three hours, until they placed me in the operating room and put my hip back into place, I was in the most excruciating pain I have ever been in my life," said Hopkins

"I was really motivated to race here this weekend and initially I felt really good from the moment I jumped on the bike, but this is just bad luck. Now I will just have to recuperate. I will fly home tomorrow night and will have surgery Monday morning if necessary. The biggest problem will be the muscles.

"All the ligaments and muscles around the femur are torn, which is a lot worse then actual broken bones. If there was no muscle damage, I would be back racing in two weeks, now we will have to wait for the proper evaluation."