2012 Crescent Suzuki World Superbike rider John Hopkins has had part of his right ring-finger removed.
The American has been battling to heal from injuries suffered when he fell during practice for the Brno MotoGP round, in mid-August - but still came within inches of winning the 2011 British Superbike title.
However Hopper was then forced to withdraw from a planned MotoGP return as a wild-card at Sepang in October, after continued problems with the finger.
“The screws and the plates in the finger have come apart and there's just no movement in the knuckle at all, so I cannot bend the finger,” he said at Sepang. “If I get any further damage to the injury it could result in amputation and certainly don't want that!”
Unfortunately, partial amputation was to prove the only option.
Writing on his official Twitter page @JHopper21, Hopkins posted this picture with the following explanation:
“Well after 6 surgeries & Thousands of $'s spent on Rehab etc it's a shame it had to come to this...
“Good news is that it already feels better than it has for months & I'll be ready to race in Phillip Island for Rnd. 1! No motivation lost!”
He later joked: “With it being Friday the 13th I should have asked the Doctor to wear the mask and dress up like "Jason" as they chopped the finger ; ) Ha Ha”
Hopkins will be joined by Leon Camier for Crescent's first full WSBK season, which begins at Phillip Island Australia on February 26.
"Just been chatting to @JHopper21 who's feeling really positive after surgery today and looking forward to @sbk_official RD1 Phil. Island" Tweeted Crescent team manager Jack Valentine.
Hopkins joins the likes of Barry Sheene and Troy Bayliss in having part of a finger removed.
Rea set for first test on 2012 Fireblade
Honda World Superbike star Jonathan Rea and his new team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama will embark on a three-day test shakedown at Phillip Island in Australia today (Tuesday).
Ulsterman Rea and ex-MotoGP ace Aoyama will have the opportunity to test the new 2012-specification CBR-1000RR Fireblade at the picturesque venue down under, which hosts the opening round of the World Superbike Championship next month.
The Fireblade is celebrating its 20th anniversary and the iconic Japanese manufacturer will be striving to mark the milestone in fairytale style by landing the world title this season.
Rea is determined to make amends for a disappointing campaign in 2011 when he sustained a complex wrist injury following a crash at Misano, effectively writing off any title chances.
However the 24-year-old has made a full recovery and with Aoyama providing the Ten Kate Racing team with added impetus, Honda will be hopeful of mounting a sustained assault on the World Superbike crown this season.
Whilst it has now been confirmed that Castrol will not continue as title sponsor, the oil giant will remain as a 'key secondary partner' until the end of 2013.
Castrol and Honda have a long-standing relationship that stretches back to 1959, when Honda took its first steps into world championship racing.
Robert Watherston, motorcycle racing manager at Honda Motor Europe, said: “We're delighted that Castrol has decided to continue its long-standing association with Honda and, in particular, our World Superbike campaign.
“We are especially pleased to have signed a two-year agreement, which takes us to the end of the 2013 season.”
Rea and Aoyama will test the 2012 Fireblade at Phillip Island from January 17-19.
2012 Ducati MotoGP bike set for track debut
The much-anticipated Desmosedici GP12 MotoGP machine, described as '90% new' by Ducati Corse general manager Filippo Preziosi, is to make its track debut in a private test that starts at Jerez on Tuesday.
According to GPone.com, the test will last for three days, with development rider Franco Battaini and World Superbike champion Carlos Checa at the controls of the bike with which Valentino Rossi will be aiming to end his longest winless run in grand prix.
Checa confirmed via Twitter that he arrived in Jerez on Monday evening.
Unlike in recent years, the new Ducati machine was not unveiled during last week's Wrooom press event and will instead make its public debut - alongside its factory rivals - during the Sepang MotoGP test, which starts on January 31.
As well as the 'new' GP12, factory Ducati stars Rossi and Nicky Hayden will also have the previous version of the aluminium twin-spar framed bike to try in Malaysia - the same development bike as used by Rossi in last November's post-race Valencia test.
Moto2: Eye surgery for Marc Marquez
2011 Moto2 title runner-up Marc Marquez has undergone eye surgery to try and solve the vision problems he has been suffering since his season-ending practice fall at Sepang.
The 18-year-old Spaniard's right eye has recovered gradually over recent months, but 'had not reached the necessary level required by a professional rider.'
Therefore 'after consulting various specialists and receiving the opinion that he would have to undergo an operation once his vision had stabilised, Marquez decided to schedule this small procedure.'
Surgery was thus performed at the Outpatients Unit of Barcelona's Hospital Clinico on Monday morning.
Doctor Bernardo Sánchez Dalmau treated Marquez for 'paralysis of the upper right oblique muscle, caused by trauma to the fourth right cranial nerve' in the October 21st accident.
“The patient underwent the operation under local anaesthetic and sedation and the procedure went satisfactorily,” said Doctor Sánchez, who discharged the rider so as to allow him “to continue his recovery at home.”
Marquez 'has not ruled out' being back on his Suter in time for the first 2012 Moto2 test, which starts at Valencia on February 8th.
A decision on whether Marquez can attend the test will be taken at the end of this month.
