Hopkins: I rode like a sissy!
"I made a big mistake coming onto my last lap and that cost me a few tenths. I lost the rear really bad and I rode like a sissy just after it happened!" smiled Hopper. "We could have had the front row, but now the plan is to get a good start and make sure we are in contention straight away!"
"I made a big mistake coming onto my last lap and that cost me a few tenths. I lost the rear really bad and I rode like a sissy just after it happened!" smiled Hopper. "We could have had the front row, but now the plan is to get a good start and make sure we are in contention straight away!"
Team-mate Chris Vermeulen lost the rear of his GSV-R even more spectacularly in this morning's final free practice session - when the Australian high-sided through the fast Craner Curves section. Fortunately he escaped with minor bruising, but could only qualify 12th in the afternoon after also making a mistake.
"My last qualifying lap was looking good, but I made a mistake in the Melbourne Loop and ran wide. It's not perfect starting from the fourth row, but if I can get a good start and push hard throughout the race I know I can be competitive," said the Le Mans winner, one to watch again should it rain on Sunday. "I lost a bit of time this morning due to a crash down Craner Curves. I'm still a bit stiff and sore from that. The guys did a great job rebuilding my bike in the short time between sessions - even some of John's crew helped so I am thankful to them for that."
"I think we will be in good shape over the 30 laps tomorrow whether it is wet or dry," declared team manager Paul Denning.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
