Despite a difficult year at Suzuki that started with two broken ankles (courtesy of a motocross accident), John Hopkins kept plugging away and, as the Suzuki MotoGP bike became more competitive, showed flashes of brilliance.
Brilliant enough, apparently, that Ducati is taking a close look at Hopkins as a possible replacement for Troy Bayliss on its factory MotoGP team next year. With the last race of the 2004 MotoGP series coming up shortly, expect an announcement about Hopkins' future, as well as that of serveral other riders in the MotoGP paddock.
