Hopkins to ride at Thruxton
Team statement: Smrz injury too much risk.
John Hopkins will return with the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati team at their home round of Thruxton next weekend (17/18/19 July) as Jakub Smrz continues his recovery from injury.
Following an operation to repair his damaged thumb joint after a crash at Snetterton, Smrz has been assessed this week, however the delicate nature of the operation and repair means there is a serious risk should he have any additional damage.
Team owner Steve Moore commented: "After speaking with Jakub and his medical team today (Thursday) the risk for him riding with such an injury is too high to take. Whilst his hand feels strong now, any further damage would cause huge complications for him. So for our local round at Thruxton John will continue on the Ducati. The plan past Thruxton will be finalised soon, we are exploring options now and wish Kuba a strong recovery."
Season best for Superstock Egan
It was a symmetrical weekend for the Ducati Panigale in both Superbike and Superstock 1000 classes, as John Hopkins and James Egan secured ninth on the grid and finished sixth in their respective races.
The impressive Egan got faster and faster over the three days, securing ninth on the huge Superstock grid with his best ever lap of the Grand Prix track at Brands Hatch for MWR Motorsports.
The South African racer moved up a couple of places in the early laps of the Superstock showdown today (19 July) and soon found himself embroiled in a titanic battle for fifth that ran right to end of the contest.
With yellow flags at the final corner, James had to ease off despite being in a position to pass, drawing alongside the Kawasaki of Alex Olsen across the timing line to register just 0.022s behind in sixth.
Following two back-to-back previous best finishes of eighth at the last two events, this sixth place shows yet more progress for the young rider in his first season on a Ducati. With the championship heading to Thruxton, a track which has seen success for the bike in the past, both rider and team are champing at the bit to get racing again.
James Egan said: “I’m really pleased with the result – we’ve really got to try and push for a top five now – it was so close and a real photo finish! It was a proper scrap from start to finish which is always so exciting. Our lap times weren’t quite as quick but that’s because we were swapping positions and banging fairings so much! In the closing laps it was like skating on ice – fortunately the tyre wear is pretty good on the Ducati, but of course all the top guys in this class have got their bikes dialled in and it’s never easy to pass. My bike has unique strength, we’ve got great punch off the turns and it’s now becoming more natural for me to use that punch to my advantage. I’m feeling at home, and it was good to have a proper scrap and have fun out there.”
John Hopkins as replacement rider
Ducati British Superbike Championship team Lloyds British Moto Rapido today (4 July) announced that former MotoGP, World Superbike and BSB star John Hopkins will ride the 1199 Panigale Superbike vacated by Jakub Smrz for the upcoming Brands Hatch round of the championship.
Following a heavy crash for Smrz in qualifying at Snetterton which has sidelined the Czech star for at least a month, the 2011 BSB runner-up has been drafted in to fly the Ducati flag in Britain’s top racing series.
Smrz has shown impressive pace and development aboard the Italian machine so far in 2015, and Hopkins will be looking to continue the trend and bring the bike to the sharp end of the fiercely competitive field.
"I am really excited about this opportunity to be honest,' said Hopkins, "especially because it feels like it's been a long time coming! After my race plans fell through before the start of the season I was left with nothing and so from then on I have been pretty much playing a waiting game. I have been to some of the races and I have followed the others at home, but I have been doing everything I possibly can to be ready for an opportunity like this to come.
"For sure it's been frustrating waiting but I looked at my career and decided straight away it couldn't end as it did in 2014 and because of that I am more motivated than ever to prove I have more. This is the moment I want to resurrect myself and show what I can still do. This is a great opportunity for me to prove this. I am sorry for Jakub that he is injured, but I intend on doing my best to do him, myself and the team proud.
"I have a lot of memories of Brands Hatch and nobody can forget the famous end to 2011 can they?! It has always been a great circuit for me and I know I can enjoy it - the track knowledge there will definitely help me especially with my limited knowledge of this bike. The team and Kuba have proven that the bike is competitive this season and despite having never ridden a Ducati before, I think it should suit my riding style.
"I am really motivated to go out and do the best job I possibly can and I think that should mean aiming for a result well inside the top ten. I am not saying it's that easy because the level of competition in the championship this year is incredible. I feel excited that I can finally get back on track, especially as the support I have had from the British fans continues to be amazing. I am feeling really positive right now and I want to repay everyone for their faith and support by putting on one hell of a good show at Brands Hatch!"
Team owner Steve Moore commented: "Snetterton was going very well for us after some significant updates to the bike during the break, so for Jakub to be struck with more bad luck left the whole team feeling cheated of a top result that we all deserved. It was vital for us to keep the momentum in the team for everyone involved so with Jakub injured for at least two rounds, we had to enlist a rider that could do the job for us. John was our first choice and after a meeting with Ducati and our sponsor Lloyds British I was thrilled to secure him for this round.
"John's enthusiasm to join us for the Brands Hatch GP round was clear from the first conversation - he is clearly focused and dedicated to be back in BSB. We have a shakedown test beforehand so he can meet the team and try the Lloyds British Panigale R for the first time. The Championship is very unforgiving this season - the depth of talent in the riders and teams is unrivalled so we understand we are asking a lot of John, but I believe he can really benefit from the development this year and we can give him a great package. We would also like to thank the BSB fans for their continued support."
Hopkins will be testing the Lloyds British-backed machine ahead of his debut at Brands Hatch on 17/19 July.
Smrz out for 4 weeks after Snetterton Crash
Round 4 of the British Superbike Championship came to abrupt and for the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Team at Snetterton Circuit. A collision towards the end of Q1 of qualifying involving Jakub Smrz and the Gearlink Kawasaki rider Victor Cox put to an end to the Czech rider’s involvement in the rest of the weekend.
It was hugely disappointing after some positive tests running up to the weekend and a good pace throughout the first two days. Smrz had finished third quickest at the end of Q1 but a visit to the medical centre confirmed his worst fears, a fracture in his left hand. Further diagnosis meant that Smrz would be out for up to four weeks missing Knockhill and possibly Brands Hatch.
Smrz will undergo surgery on Tuesday on his broken thumb; no decision has yet been made on what action will be taken to replace the rider during this time.
Steve Moore – Team Manager
“We were confident of a good result this weekend we had been quick during testing here a few weeks ago and had a good pace all weekend. We also had some new parts from Ducati, a new clutch which had made vastly improved starts. Nothing passed the bike on the straights or in the brakes and we were consistently fast all weekend – the results were there for the taking.”
For the MWR Motorsports Moto Rapido Superstock 1000 team it was a better weekend with South African, James Egan taking the sole Ducati in the championship to eighth place. Egan had qualified in 9th place, his second best starting position and in the race he was to maintain that consistency picking up one more place to finish in eighth his best ever finish in the class.
James Egan
“Although it was my best result in Stock 1000 I was a bit disappointed not to finish higher. On the last lap I was pushing for fifth but then going into the hairpin I was pushed wide and lost a couple of places. Considering how little time I have had on the bike it is great to see that we are now pushing for top five finishes. It was the fastest I have ever been round Snetterton, I had the fifth fastest lap which is the highest up I have been, a fastest lap during the race so I have to be content with that. The bike is not far off perfect and I have adjusted my riding style for the Panigale so that I don’t have to think about it and it now comes naturally. I can’t wait for Knockhill!”
Round 1 Round up
The season opener had it’s fair share of challenges for the Kuba and his Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati Panigale R.
A promising test at Donington in the previous week gave us the expectation to be battling at the front but a fast crash at Craner Curves just 5 laps into the season caused a few more problems than expected.
The crash damage was extensive including many electronic components so the team worked hard and well to complete the rebuild and cleaning job to prepare for the second practice session on day 1. With the bike assembled Smrz completed a test lap which showed a running fault thought to be an electrical issue. Hardly surprising given the amount of mud and water the bike had endured.
The work then began on finding this problem into the night and again the next morning. The team analysed the data collected and began working the problem through. After extensive diagnostics and replacing all the suspected components, including main wiring harness and engine control unit the fault persisted.
With the 35 plus strong grid in BSB Superbike the regulations mean only the fastest 30 riders take part in the qualifying sessions. Smrz was P31 having only ridden a few laps in FP1. So with the grid place set the team decided to complete a total strip down and build a new bike for the next day. Replacing all electronic components, wiring and sensors with pre-tested and calibrated new parts, a new motor was installed and new electronic hardware.
The morning warm-up session was a successful test of the bike but being almost 3 hours set-up time behind the others had the whole team at a huge disadvantage.
Poor luck struck again when the rear Pirelli slick tyre had split on the formation lap, this was spotted on the grid (later confirmed as a tyre fault by Pirelli). There was no option but to pull the bike and swap the tyre. So now Kuba was starting from pitlane with no warm up lap and a fresh tyre. At this point the team decided to use the track time to test as we would have done in the free practice sessions and continue the work on the bike. Now looking ahead to race 2 and round 2.
For race 2, Kuba made a good start and after 1 lap had gained 10 places, but pushing hard to try to and make an early dent into the field he ran on at the Melbourne hairpin, re-joining 45 seconds behind the last place rider. Having decided beforehand to finish the race regardless of what may happen he pushed on back up to P26 gaining the team some valuable data to help prepare for the rest of the season.
Not the test for the bike or rider, but the team performed fantastically under great pressure.
We're back for 2015!
Moto Rapido Return for 2015 in BSB Superbike with title Partner Lloyds British
Czech contender Jakub Smrz will return to the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship this season, with 11 nations now featured on the 2015 grid. 'Kuba' returns with Ducati and the Lloyds British Moto Rapido team, the seventh different manufacturer to be represented ahead of the opening round at Donington Park (4/5/6 April).
Smrz returns to the Hampshire-based team ready to make further leaps forward with the Ducati since scoring the Panigale's first pole position and a best result of sixth place at Thruxton last season.
The team returns to the Championship following a comprehensive winter development programme, working closely with the Bologna factory ahead of the forthcoming season.
Smrz said: "I feel really good about this season. Last year wasn't the easiest for me but we have done lot of work and development with the Panigale. It's great to be with Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati and continue the work that we started. The team have a lot of passion and everybody is working hard. I feel that the team deserves to see their Ducati at the top.
"There are many improvements for this year and with Steve [Moore, team owner] managing the team; he has a very good understanding of racing and the Ducati, which is very positive. The bike should be stronger and some of the settings problems we had last year will be improved. Of course it is hard to say before we go testing but I am feeling very confident because the hard work of the team and knowledge of the Ducati will helps us to move forward.
"My realistic aim this year is to challenge for the Showdown. This year the grid is very tough, but last year we proved that we can be fast and we have improved so I feel better than ever. I love riding in BSB and this season I have everything I need to be fast. I need to thank Moto Rapido, Lloyds British and Ducati UK for this opportunity and I´ll do my best to deliver them some top results."
Team owner Steve Moore commented: "I'm thrilled to be back on the MCE BSB grid this year with new sponsor Lloyds British and additional support from Ducati UK. Working with Kuba last year was great, however we are looking for some big results in 2015, the team infrastructure is now vastly improved, and we've a superb new bike so we're just desperate to get out on the track!
"Last season was certainly challenging; we had a few set-up issues when matching the bike and Kuba's style so never really got him comfortable, but still managed many good lap times, thankfully this year we are in a far greater position. With the season rapidly approaching, we're look forward to celebrating all the hard work put in over the winter - there's been a lot of work behind the scenes, but we're ready to go racing!
"For 2015 we have the new Panigale R, with updated suspension components and chassis parts, plus lots more data available on the bike. Ducati have been very busy preparing for their own season, but have been supporting is us with a lot of technical information.
"We remain a dealer-based team which will make the first podiums even more special this season. We don't have the same resources as some of the other teams in the paddock, but I'm really pleased with what we have in place for 2015 - I believe that we can mount our strongest challenge yet. I'm really looking forward to the first test soon. Thank you to all our partners that are making it happen."