Stiggy Honda's Leon Haslam has said he is excited by the news that former MotoGP rider John Hopkins will be his new World Superbike team-mate from the Valencia round, but hasn't heard it from team boss Johan Stigefelt yet!
Haslam learned of the deal from his crew chief this morning and expects to see Hopkins for for the first time at a one-day test at Spain's Almeria circuit a week on Sunday
Speaking to bikesportnews,com this morning, Haslam said: "I am assuming that John will be there and we can see where he is with the bike. He's no mug on a bike and he has had a podium in MotoGP so I am excited and looking forward to seeing how we can work it.
"If you have a team-mate that is competitive it's a bonus. If there is someone on the other side of the garage that is able to push you, then it works better. John has the experience to do that. It will be interesting to see what he thinks to the bike."
It is not clear yet whether Hopkins makes the team into a three-man squad or whether Roby Rolfo will be sidelined in order to make a space for the American.
READ MORE OF HASLAM'S THOUGHTS ON HOPKINS AND VALENCIA HERE
