John Hopkins has signed to remain with Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducato for the remainder of this year’s MCE British Superbike season and replaces the injured Jakub Smrz.

Hopkins has shown the race-winning potential of the Panigale since he first swung a leg over it at a Brands Hatch test and led the second race at Thruxton yesterday before a small off put paid to a podium spot. He had also been running in the top three in the opening encounter before a split exhaust also saw him retire.

“I have definitely been enjoying myself with the team and there is a great atmosphere and for me it has been fantastic to come in straight away and show what we are capable of. I haven’t enjoyed myself on a bike this much in a long time and this opportunity is what I have been waiting for, especially after the frustrating start of the year when you had to watch everyone else testing and racing,” said Hopkins.

“I bided my time and it has paid off because I wanted to come back with a team and package that I knew had the potential to be at the front and everything I think happens for a reason. I can’t deny that I feel bad for Kuba because he is a great rider and I am sure he will be back soon, but I had to grasp this opportunity and I couldn’t give it up.

“It is amazing to think where we are already; I have had to take a step back and breathe to just look and appreciate how much progress has been made already. I have felt instantly at home with the feel of the throttle and the chassis which is incredible, I think that comes down to it feeling very similar to how the GP bikes were that I spent most of my career on.

“Last weekend we had a few technical issues at the start of the weekend, which wasn’t the fault of the team, but some of the things would have been what everybody else had ironed out at the start of the year.

“We are coming up to some of my favourite tracks and I couldn’t be more excited now and I definitely want to pick up where we left off last weekend at Thruxton.”