John Hopkins was sidelined from the Czech MotoGP

Aug 14 2011 by Zoe Burn, Sunday Sun

BRITISH Superbike fans were left gutted when everyone’s favourite American John Hopkins was sidelined from the Czech MotoGP at Brno after smashing his fingers in a crash.

The Samsung Crescent Suzuki rider had been running in the top 10 in earlier practice sessions after landing a wildcard entry with Paul Denning’s Rizla Suzuki team.

However, disaster struck in yesterday morning’s final practice when he crashed in the wet.

His right hand took the impact as he hit the ground.

Hopkins was taken straight to the medical centre, where xX-rays revealed a break and a dislocation in his third finger and a fracture in his second.

The injuries immediately ruled him out of this weekend’s proceedings and he will now head back to America for an operation.

He aims to be fit and ready to contest the next round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike championship at Cadwell Park in a fortnight.

Denning said: “This is a huge disappointment to all of us at Rizla Suzuki and of course mostly to John.