All posts tagged stiggy honda
John Hopkins Out for the Rest of the Season
To say that John Hopkins in his debut season with Stiggy Racing Honda Team in the WSBK series has been unlucky would be an understatement. Hopkins who replaced Roberto Rolfo the team has been plagued with numerous and serious injuries.
The American crashed out during pratice at Assen, breaking his left hip, forcing him to miss four rounds. He had to sit out the Misano round and cut short the Imola test after being advised by the Clinica Mobile not to ride.
When the Nurburgring round came around, Hopkins was back to almost full fitness, but was involved in a first lap pile-up that saw him run over by Vittorio Iannuzzo. The doctors diagnosed a slight concussion and bruises to his shoulder and wrist and released him, however on returning to the States and further tests found that Hopkins received a small bruise to the back of the brain that had bled, but fortunately had already stopped. The American and will undergo a further scan in six weeks times to determine if the bruise has completely healed.
Hopkins also underwent three different surgeries repairing torn ligaments and tendons in his left shoulder and hip, and on his scaphoid and a bone separation in his right wrist, that required the bones to be fused.
Hopkins and his wife Ashleigh have started a video diary and channel so that fans can regularly check up on his conditions
Source | john hopkins21 and roadracing
John Hopkins: What does he have?
We’re back to square one on John Hopkins presumed health problems and the latest interview that Stiggy Honda’s Anglo-American rider gave to the official WSBK website, has left us scratching our heads in puzzlement.
To recap the story briefly, Hopkins during the Imola tests last week was advised by the Clinica Mobile to stop riding because of pain in his left hip after a near highside and after X-Rays were taken and sent to Hopper’s doctors in the US, and the diagnosis presumably was osteoporosis.
Hopkins visiting the Sachsenring MotoGP, told journalists that the diagnosis was a mistake and that he would be riding the Brno round this weekend. Even Hopper’s mom told fans that it wasn’t osteoporosis.
Now we’ve read this interview that was pubblished on Monday:
“I actually had a big moment midday yesterday when I was following Fabrizio, lost the rear, the thing came back and just pumped on me really hard. It caused quite a bit of pain in my hip, so this morning it was painful. There was a little bit of swelling so we decided to go and get some X-rays. It shows that the bone looks pretty clear like it’s really fragile at the moment so we’ve got to get a bunch of tests from the specialists. The right side looks completely solid, then the left side is completely see-through.”
It may not be osteoporosis and obviously we’re not Dr. Art Ting nor Dr. Claudio Costa, but a “see-through” bone doesn’t sound like Hopkins is exactly in great shape to risk riding in two races on Sunday.
John Hopkins: I don't have osteoporosis
A familiar face was seen at the Sachsenring paddock this weekend, former MotoGP rider John Hopkins showed up with his wife Ashleigh at the Alpinestars hospitality.
Answering questions regarding speculation that he may skip the WSBK round at Brno due to problems from osteoporosis found after undergoing X-Rays during the WSBK Imola test, Hopkins denied that he is suffering from the disease.
“That diagnosis, fortunately was wrong. They told me I had to stop immediately, but a further test has shown that I don’t have anything, so I’ll be at Brno with my Stiggy Honda.”
Asked if he could return to MotoGP, Hopper had this to say:
“At the moment I have a job to finish in the other series. Certainly it’s ridiculous to see only 16 bikes on the grid. The truth is that maybe motorcycle racing can’t afford two top championships.
Even John Hopkins mom Linda, on Hopkins official website confirmed to worried fans that her son does not have osteoporosis:
“Dr Ting has NOT diagnosed John with Osteoporosis. He did say the hip is healing nicely but the severity of the injury means it will take time. John did have a near highsider wednesday which did cause some pain last night so he thought he would get an X-ray just to be safe. It was read at the track by Dr Costa and then John sent it to Dr Ting for a second opinion. Dr Ting did suggest he get an MRI done and send it to him just to put his mind at rest. Which I think he’s doing tomorrow. Thanks for your concern AMP I read the same thing and was on the phone to John immediately but he assured me it wasn’t that bad. In fact he laughed at all the publicity it has created. This isn’t the first time he has been mis-diagnosed at the track or in the press and I doubt it will be the last.
Source | gpone
WSBK - John Hopkins to Miss Brno?
According to the well informed Motogpmatters website, John Hopkins may miss next week’s WSBK Brno round.
During the two day test at Imola, Hopkins preferred to to sit out Thursday’s afternoon session after he was advised not to ride by the staff of the Clinica mobile.
The Stiggy Honda rider was suffering from pain after the first day of testing and after riding in Thursday’s morning session and following a near crash was advised by the staff of the Clinica Mobile not to take part in the afternoon session.
X-Rays revealed no further damage had been done to his previously injured hip bone, but they did reveal that his bones were not developing calcium properly and his doctors in the US diagnosed osteoporosis after receiving the X rays by email.
Hopkins will undergo a further battery of tests that will probably include a Dexa (bone density scan) and a diagnosis of osteoporosis leaves some doubt if Hopkins will ride in Brno, because even a small crash could leave him with more broken bones.
News about Roberto Rolfo
What’s Roberto Rolfo former WSBK rider doing after he got the axe from Stiggy Honda who dropped him for John Hopkins? He’s got a new manager and is thinking of competing in the Moto 2 CEV championship next year.
Fabio Barchitta, former 250cc World Championship rider and owner of Fastback, an agency that has been working in MotoGP for many years, has taken under his management the Vice World Class 250cc Roberto Rolfo.
Fabio is going to follow Roberto as a manager for the next two years and has already started working in order to give the pilot the possibility to return as soon as possible on track.
Roberto, after the anticipated completion of the 2009 Superbike season, due to sponsors reasons, is now fully confident about the competence and expertise of Fabio.
The path, recommended by Barchitta and shared by the pilot, passes through the Moto2 Spanish Championship (CEV) this year, up to the new category of MotoGP, the MOTO2, which is at its debut next year.
WSBK- Hopkins to be back for US Round?
After undergoing successful surgery in America following his big Assen practice crash Stiggy Racing Honda rider John Hopkins is hoping to return to competitive action at the US round at the Miller Motorsport Park on May 31.
His injuries ran to a posterior fracture dislocation of the left hip, which it took five solvable screws to fix, and Hopkins believes it was his most painful injury of his career.
“I have never been in so much pain in my whole life even though I have been in a few crashes!” said the tough Honda rider. “I was thrown into the air and landed on the track with my feet first. After an agonizing wait in the hospital, I felt slightly better when my hip was put back into place, but on Saturday morning I just felt like I had been run over by a train. Fortunately, my wife made a surprise visit to see me in Assen and supported me throughout the long flight back home. I had an appointment scheduled with Dr. Ting on Monday morning to get a clear indication of the sustained injuries, and set a realistic plan for my recovery. I will now start my therapy in a couple of days and have set my goal on being ready to race again in the US round. It is a shame this nasty crash happened, as the bike felt really good straight out of the box on Friday morning, and I was looking forward to competing for a top position.”
John Hopkins Injured during Assen Free Practice
Assen continues to be John Hopkins bête noire. During free practice on his second appearance with Stiggy Honda’s CBR1000RR at Assen, the American rider suffered a massive highside that caused the practice to be red flagged while Hopkins was taken to the hospital.
Diagnosed with a dislocated hip and torn ligaments and muscles around his femur, Hopkins will miss his second race.
In 2008, with Kawasaki, always at Assen, Hopkins crashed into the barrier breaking his left ankle and tibia.
“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.”
“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.”
Roberto Rolfo after the Stiggy Honda Axe
Roberto Rolfo who was axed by Stiggy Honda to make room for ex MotoGP rider John Hopkins has finally decided to talk and gave this interview to Italian website SBK Point with his side of the story:
Roby, this has really been a big and terrible surprise for all your fans and all Italian Superbike fans. We’d like to know if you knew that the team was negotiating with John Hopkins or was it a surprise?
“It was a horrible surprise, a really horrible surprise, like a lightning bolt in a clear sky”.
“Before the begining of the season, during the tests in Portimao, I was having problems with my shoulder and I couldn’t ride. Dr. Porcellini, who is a shoulder specialist and operates riders gave me some good news, he told me that I didn’t need an operation and that he could guarantee that with proper therapy, I’d be back in 100% shape.”
In John Hopkins, Out Roberto Rolfo
After the official announcement that John Hopkins would be joining the Stiggy Racing Honda Team from the third round of the Superbike Championship at Valencia, many fans were wondering if the team would put another bike on the grid or if Hopkins would take Roberto Rolfo’s place as past rumors had been saying.
Even this rumor has turned out to be true, because Roberto Rolfo has been fired to make room for Hopkins, the reason being a conflict of sponsorship contracts.
Roberto Rolfo:
“With great sadness I have taken notice of the fact that the team and its sponsors have expressed their wishes for another rider to support the team. Based on this outcome, I have decided to end my collaboration with the team.”
“I would like to thank my mechanics who have supported me in this short season. I would also like to emphasise the decision, as to prevent any miscommunication, has nothing to do with my physical condition, which is perfect at the moment, but is entirely based on reasons beyond my influence.”
Confirmed: John Hopkins to ride for Stiggy Honda
The rumors that were having John Hopkins in Stiggy Honda’s WSBK team after Kawasaki’s pullout from MotoGP have finally been confirmed today, when Hopper’s agent Bob Moore confirmed to Roadracing World that the 25 year old Anglo-Californian will riding a Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR in the World Superbike Championship and will begin with the next round in Valencia, the weekend of April 3-5.
Hopkins will make his World Superbike debut alongside new teammates Leon Haslam and Roberto Rolfo and will test prior to the first race at Almeria in Spain that the Anglo-Californian will riding a Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR in the World Superbike Championship and will begin with the next round in Valencia the weekend of April 3-5.
Source | roadracingworld
No Driving Ban for Leon Haslam
Superbike rider Leon Haslam who is riding for Stiggy Honda will be able to drive his motorhome around the European rounds of the WSBK, because he’s escaped a driving ban after being caught last January doing 103mph with his Ford Focus.
Haslam who has several previous motoring convictions and admitted breaking the speed limit. Speaking on Haslam’s behalf, Rachel Young said: “Mr Haslam’s driving licence does not make particularly good reading but he currently has only three points on it”.
“It is an extremely positive thing that over the past few years he has been involved in various bike safety campaigns,” she told Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court in Derby.
John Hopkins breaks silence , sort of
After posting his last message on his personal website on the 31st of December, John Hopkins has finally broke the silence. Besides thanking all his fans for their support, Hopper also says that he’s got a big treat in store for everyone and he’s also said that his management team told him keep quiet.
Since Kawasaki’s pullout, Hopkins fate has been speculated on by all and sundry and his name has been linked to Stiggy Honda to replace a first ailing Roberto Rolfo and after the first WSBK race at Phillip Island to replace the same Rolfo who got beat by his new team mate and rookie Leon Haslam. Hopper has also been linked to Paul Bird’s official Kawasaki team.
According to Marco Melandri, Hopkins did not want to ride for the new Hayate/Kawasaki team and that Hopkins has given up and his opinion the money question is more important for the Anglo-American rider, while now they would have to race for nothing.
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