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17th October, Sepang
- Suzuki’s John Hopkins
has put newly crowned MotoGP champion
Casey Stoner ahead of four-times Malaysian
GP MotoGP winner Valentino Rossi as the
top contender at the 2007 Polini Malaysian
Motorcycle Grand Prix this Sunday.
“Casey Stoner will be the man to beat this
weekend. He has been in hot form
throughout the season and I expect him to
be in the same awesome form this weekend,”
said Hopkins, who will be seeking his
first ever MotoGP win.
Hopkins, who would be leaving Suzuki at
the end of the season after five seasons
to join Kawasaki, said that he would be
going all out for a win, adding that it
would be good if he could sign off by
providing a win for the Rizla Suzuki
MotoGP Team.
Speaking to reporters when met at SIC Hari
Raya Open House at the circuit, Hopkins
said that it would be a challenging race
this weekend for all the riders as they
compete in a newly resurfaced Sepang
track.
“Basically, it will be a new experience
for everybody as we do not know whether
the tyres’ grip will favour the
Bridgestone or the Michelin tyres. So, we
will just need to wait and see,” said
Hopkins, who rides a Suzuki GSV-R machine
on Bridgestone tyres.
Nicknamed as Hopper, John Hopkins is
having his best ever season this year as
he sits at fourth overall with 165 points
after the Australian Grand Prix. Three
podium finishes – at the Chinese Grand
Prix in Shanghai, Brno (Republic Czech)
and Misano (San Marino) - has made 2007
even sweeter for the Anglo-American rider.
While noting that it had been raining
since the past week in Sepang, Hopkins
said that he would be praying for a dry
track throughout the week; saying that he
performed to his best capability on a dry
track.
“On a wet track, it will be very difficult
to say who will be favourite. It will also
unclear to what is going to happen at the
race. I always prefer a dry track,” added
Hopkins.
At the Hari Raya Open House, Hopkins and
250cc rider Mika Kallio showed off his
skills to some 700 guests in weaving
ketupat shells, frying ‘roti canai’ and
preparing the local favourite drink – teh
tarik.
Fans can also purchase their tickets
on-line at
www.malaysiangp.com.my.
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