It looks like Paul Denning team manager of Rizla Suzuki, actually wasn’t teasing when we reported the rumor that John Hopkins could get a wildcard ride in MotoGP this 2011.
According to British website MCN.
com, Hopper will actually be testing the GSV-R during the pre-season Qatar test, that takes place next month and his role will be to replace Alvaro Bautista, if something should happen to the Spanish rider.
“We’re obliged to be at the races and we need to have a back-up plan if Alvaro is unfit.
In terms of ability, experience and availability, John would definitely be the best guy,” said Denning.
This seems a pretty smart idea by Suzuki, because we wouldn’t want to see the scrambling and pretty inadequate replacements (test riders Wataru Yoshikawa and Kousuke Akiyoshi) that the teams found to substitute injured Valentino Rossi and Hiroshi Aoyama.