ePayMe Yamaha are gearing up for the sixth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship this weekend at the high-speed Thruxton circuit where Stuart Easton will fly the flag for the team as despite an ongoing battle to return to fitness, after further assessment John Hopkins has taken medical advice to sit out the event due to his Knockhill injuries.

Easton has claimed top ten finishes this season and is eager to harness the strengths of the ePayMe Yamaha at a track that was strong for the Japanese manufacturer last season in the hands of eventual champion Josh Brookes.

However it is further disappointment for Hopkins, who will be forced to miss his home round of the season as he continues his recovery from a broken and dislocated right collarbone and broken ribs. The American contender underwent surgery after the Scottish round, but despite relentless treatment and physio sessions, he will have to wait until the next event at Brands Hatch to make his comeback.

Hopkins said: 

“I am extremely disappointed to miss this weekend. It has been a positive recovery as when I visited my doctor he was very impressed with the rate of healing and the bone is moulding together but the problem is where the fracture is, is right in the joint and that had to be reconstructed. Unfortunately soft tissue takes time to heal and the smallest thing could knock it back out of place and put me out for longer.

“As disappointing as it is to sit out this weekend we can come back to Brands Hatch and be fit. It is such a shame as it is a track both myself and the Yamaha has proven to be strong at and it would have been nice to try and achieve one of our best results of the year. I now have all my focus on Brands Hatch and doing everything I can to be there and I have no doubt I will be ready to go.”

Easton said: 

“We have had some good conversations between us ahead of this weekend and I feel that as a team we can try and make that little step forward this weekend that we have been missing. Thruxton should be a strong circuit for the Yamaha, so we will take it as it comes and hopefully we can be back fighting in the top ten again.”

Team owner Tommy Hill commented: 

“It is unfortunate for John that he has to miss this weekend, but after taking medical advise this has to be the best decision so that he can come back strong at Brands Hatch. It is a big shame for the team and our partners because John was really getting close to the podium at Knockhill before his crash, but that is how racing goes sometimes and we will regroup and come back stronger.

“Unfortunately with the turnaround time we were unable to secure a second rider this weekend, but we will focus the team efforts on Stuart and how we can drive forward with his side of the garage. This could be one of the best circuits for the Yamaha and we need to do the best job we possibly can at Thruxton. I also want to thank all of our team partners for their continued support and hopefully we can support Stuart even more to secure his highest finishing places of the season.”