Kawasaki have confirmed that John Hopkins´ injuries, sustained last weekend in a high-speed crash in the Netherlands, will require surgery and will definitely rule him out of the next two races at Sachsenring and Laguna Seca, as had been widely anticipated.
The Competition Manager of the Kawasaki Racing MotoGP team Michael Bartholemy has also meanwhile cleared up the situation regarding a possible move to sensationally put Ducati Marlboro rider Marco Melandri on Hopkins´ bike at those two races, confirming that the under-performing Italian is to continue with his current team for the time being.
Following consultations with California-based orthopaedic specialist Dr Arthur Ting, who helped Hopkins´ to recover from his groin injury earlier this year, the Anglo-American Kawasaki star has been told he will need to go under the knife in order to rectify the damage of his Assen accident.
Speaking to motogp.com on Thursday Bartholemy said of Hopkins´ injuries, `He needs to have an operation, according to Dr Ting, because the tibia is still a little bit dislocated and he would like to correct this. Also he would like to perform some surgery on the knee because there was a big compression on that area. Dr Ting has said that for now John will not be able to ride at Laguna Seca.´
However, Kawasaki do not plan to replace Hopkins at Sachsenring for logistical reasons, though they are still finalising plans for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix the following week.
Bartholemy said, `Basically for Germany we would like to keep the bike free because it will be difficult to find anybody. But our idea for Laguna would be to put one of our American-based riders on the bike, maybe Jamie Hacking, Roger Lee Hayden or Chaz Davies.´
Admitting that discussions with Melandri had taken place Bartholemy clarified the situation, stating, `I said to him (Melandri) after I knew how bad John´s injuries were, and told him that we have a bike free for the next two events, but that he would have to find a solution with Ducati, to get out of his contract. This is not a Kawasaki matter. But now they have told me that he will continue with Ducati for the next two races for sure.´