Moto Rapido finish 2015 on a high

Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati enjoyed its best ever weekend at the 2015 MCE British Superbike Championship finale at Brands Hatch (16/18 October). With eighth, fourth and an incredible first podium for the Ducati Panigale, it has been a fantastic way to round off a remarkable season for the team.

It was, in fact, the first race of the triple-header in which Hopper made the breakthrough. Having secured six in a tricky qualifying that saw mixed conditions in the crucial top ten shoot-out, the #15 Ducati blasted off the line and into the mix right at the front. John found himself latched onto the back of the battling championship protagonists Shane Byrne and Josh Brookes, and as the two tussled to decide the 2015 BSB title, Hopkins ensured he didn’t affect the result and sat comfortably behind them. Hopper had to keep one eye on Iddon behind, but was able to manage his third place for the middle phase of the race.

Once Brookes made it through and into an unassailable lead Hopper pushed on again to close the gap to Byrne. Despite struggling with grip he moved to within 0.2s of the Kawasaki, but the chequered flag came out before he could mount a charge for second position.

It was still a sensational first podium for the Ducati Panigale, which has been a staple feature at the front of the BSB field since Hopkins joined the Lloyds British Moto Rapido squad at mid-season. True to form, Sunday’s final two encounters also featured the Ducati Panigale R superbike in the fight at the front.

The first of the day’s races appeared to be a repeat performance as Hopkins once again slotted into third behind Brookes and Byrne. This time around, however, Hopkins came under fire from a fierce chasing pack, and he was pipped by Michael Laverty with just a few laps to go. As he began to mount a last-lap charge to reclaim third, the red flags came out and put paid to any chances of a second piece of silverware.

It was an eye-catching start to the final race of the 2015 season for the team, as Hopper blasted from the second row of the grid into the lead around the outside at Paddock Hill bend. He held on to top spot for the first circulation of the Grand Prix circuit, but on lap two a tough battle developed and Hopper dropped back into the pack.

Crossing the line in eighth after a race-long scrap, both rider and team were delighted to finish off the 2015 season with their strongest trio of races to date.

John Hopkins said: “It’s been a very good weekend, we scored three solid results but of course I wanted to finish higher in the last two races! We did fight to the end and it was so nice to get that podium in race one. We started the weekend on the back foot – there were a couple of issues early on that kept us off-track, and the weather conditions didn’t help so we didn’t get that many timed laps before the racing began. That meant that in race one we just went into the unknown, put our heads down and got that podium. It was well deserved and so happy to get a podium for a team that has worked so hard all year long. I have loved my time on the bike and can’t thank Ducati UK and the Lloyds British Moto Rapido squad for giving me this opportunity, I have thoroughly enjoyed it and it has been one of the best bikes I have ridden in a long, long time.

Team Principal Steve Moore said: “It was a one hundred percent successful weekend, in fact it was the best weekend we could have expected to get. It is very easy to start getting giddy when you get a podium and you are running at the front, but there is a whole group of guys from first to tenth that are all as fast as each other with very good equipment and very good teams. We had a small tyre problem in the third race of the weekend and even with that we were running at the front. The lap times were consistent, the bike performed perfectly throughout, so we are very happy and the podium is just the cherry on the top.”

Best weekend yet for Moto Rapido at Assen

The weekend didn’t start out well for the Hampshire-based squad, with mechanical issues preventing any meaningful running in both free practice sessions on Friday. Despite such limited track time, Hopkins was right on the pace in the all-important three-part qualifying session on Saturday.

Banking strong laps in Q1 and Q2, Hopper set his fastest time of the weekend in the ten-minute final blast to clinch a spot on the outside of the front row for race one. As the chequered flag was flown John was just half a second shy of the ultimate pace set by Showdown contender Josh Brookes.

Race one built to an exciting crescendo after Hopper lost out off the start line to championship contender Shane Byrne. Settling into a strong rhythm, the #15 machine matched the reigning champion until mid-distance, when the pressure forced an error by Byrne into the final chicane.

This ignited a thrilling second half of the race, as soon the BMW of Michael Laverty joined the battle and the trio traded places time and again. Ultimately Hopkins had to settle for fifth, but it was still a best result for the team and rider combination to date.

Starting fourth for the second encounter, race two was a fraught affair with several aborted starts due to unpredictable rain showers plaguing the Assen TT circuit. With slick tyres and a damp track the start of the race didn't go to plan for Hopkins as he was pushed out wide into turn one. This put him right to the back, and with a shortened race distance of just 15 laps there wasn't much time to repair the damage.

Despite this, John fought admirably, and with conditions still changeable he managed to pull off a raft of overtakes to haul the 1199 Panigale superbike back into the points. The #15 rider was speeding towards an impressive resurgent top ten finish, however he didn't quite have enough laps and took the chequered flag in 11th.

John Hopkins said: "It's been a really positive weekend overall we had a solid race one, the bike worked great we were struggling a little bit in the first sector trying to get the bike turned. We made some changes for race two and the bike felt great and I was looking for a podium. Unfortunately at the start of the second race I got pushed wide which in these conditions you don’t want and I lost a lot of ground which I did my best to make up. The bike is working great now so I am looking forward to fighting for a podium at Silverstone.”

Steve Moore said:"I'm really happy with the weekend. The team has been amazing and John has proven once again what a professional he is. It was brilliant to see the Ducati up there battling with the showdown contenders, and to cross the like just 1.5 seconds away from a podium is really special for us. We should go well at Silverstone too, so bring it on!"

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!”