Former Kawasaki MotoGP rider John Hopkins will join Leon Haslam at Stiggy Honda for the first European World Superbike meeting at Valencia in a couple of weeks.

As revealed by myself (not MCN, even though they'd like to think so), Hopkins started long and protracted talks with team boss Johan Stigefelt before Christmas and will test at Almeria prior to the Valencia race.
“Kawasaki and I worked it out where both parties left the relationship happy, and I am thankful to Kawasaki for letting me ride their bikes and race in their program. I’m excited about racing in the 2009 season and solely putting my focus on moving forward,” said Hopkins.

Hopkins' manager Bob Moore, who talked to our colleagues at roadracingworld.com, Hopkins is excited about the deal which increases the team to three Superbikes. As Hopkins still has the Monster money, it looks like Roby Rolfo will not be getting the Spanish archer after all.

Moore said: "Judging by the first race, it seems like the bike is pretty competitive. Obviously we just want to be in a position to get John over there and racing. It seems like a good bike. Everybody else was, how much money do you have?

"Things are tough, even though it’s John Hopkins. We feel it will give John a good solid baseline to hopefully get on the box and get some wins eventually.”