Bushiee46
28-12-2006, 14:32
http://www.gixerjunkies.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6489&stc=1&d=1167312659
Colin Edwards has tipped John Hopkins to be MotoGP’s big dark horse in 2007 after the Suzuki man’s star performances in winter tests.
Texan Edwards reckons his compatriot could emerge as a regular podium threat next season – even though the Rizla Suzuki No.1 has yet to score a single top three finish in his 78-race MotoGP career.
Former double World Superbike champion Edwards witnessed 23-year-old Hopkins dominate the Sepang test in Malaysia last month and then impress in other outings in Jerez and Valencia on board Suzuki’s new GSV-R800.
The 32-year-old said: “Hopper is the dark horse I’m telling you. If there is one guy you could say out of the whole paddock ‘hey watch out dark horse’, there is no other candidate, he is the one.”
“I know the kid and at the beginning of the year, he’ll have some good races and he’ll get that taste for it and then he’ll be there pretty much every week.
“Suzuki has had their issues with reliability in the past, but if they get that sorted John will be tough, there’s no question about that.
“He’s been impressive in the last couple of tests I’ve seen. He’s just consistently been throwing in some laps. He’s very confident and likes the bike.”
Edwards, Rossi and Hopkins will all be back on track on January 22, 2007 at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia when the seven-week winter testing ban ends.
Colin Edwards has tipped John Hopkins to be MotoGP’s big dark horse in 2007 after the Suzuki man’s star performances in winter tests.
Texan Edwards reckons his compatriot could emerge as a regular podium threat next season – even though the Rizla Suzuki No.1 has yet to score a single top three finish in his 78-race MotoGP career.
Former double World Superbike champion Edwards witnessed 23-year-old Hopkins dominate the Sepang test in Malaysia last month and then impress in other outings in Jerez and Valencia on board Suzuki’s new GSV-R800.
The 32-year-old said: “Hopper is the dark horse I’m telling you. If there is one guy you could say out of the whole paddock ‘hey watch out dark horse’, there is no other candidate, he is the one.”
“I know the kid and at the beginning of the year, he’ll have some good races and he’ll get that taste for it and then he’ll be there pretty much every week.
“Suzuki has had their issues with reliability in the past, but if they get that sorted John will be tough, there’s no question about that.
“He’s been impressive in the last couple of tests I’ve seen. He’s just consistently been throwing in some laps. He’s very confident and likes the bike.”
Edwards, Rossi and Hopkins will all be back on track on January 22, 2007 at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia when the seven-week winter testing ban ends.