While disappointed he failed to keep his seat with the “Ninjas” through the 2009 MotoGP season, the Texan rider thanked his former team for their good collaboration through 2008. He will not join WSBK team Stiggy Honda, where he's expected to ride the new Honda CBR1000RR as soon as the Valencia event in early April.
“Kawasaki and I worked it out where both parties left the relationship happy, and I am thankful to Kawasaki for letting me ride their bikes and race in their programme. I'm excited about racing in the 2009 season and solely putting my focus on moving forward,” said Hopkins, according to autosport.com.
After having a truly amazing season with Rizla Suzuki in 2007, Hopkins joined struggling Kawasaki for 2008. His new bike's poor performances through the last season, added to the injuries he suffered during 2008, turned Kawasaki into the lowest ranked manufacturers from the entire MotoGP pack.
In the wake of the economic downturn late last year, Kawasaki decided to withdraw from the sport due to financial difficulties. Although they officially announce quit of the MotoGP in early January, the Japanese manufacturer was forced to make the 2009 grid as part of their 3-year agreement with MotoGP promoter Dorna. However, Kawasaki only had funds for securing a single ride through 2009, and decided to give it to newly-signed rider Marco Melandri.
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