Hacking to replace Hopkins at US GP

Hacking, a three-time AMA champion, races for the Japanese manufacturer in the American series and has scored six podium finishes so far this year.

The 37-year-old has completed two days of testing with Kawasaki's MotoGP bike in Japan ahead of the Laguna Seca race, which takes place next weekend.

"I'm really excited about riding Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-RR in the US GP at Laguna Seca," said 37-year-old Hacking. "I can't believe how sophisticated the electronics package is on the bike; already it feels like you can open the gas impossibly early out of the turns, but the data shows that it's actually possible to open the throttle even earlier.

"To do this requires some confidence in the electronics, and that confidence will only come with more track time on the bike. Laguna is one of my best tracks, but I'm under no illusions how hard it's going to be.

"I'll be up against some of the best riders in the world on a bike on which I've only had limited testing time. If I come away from the weekend with a top ten finish, then I'll be happy."

Hopkins has been ruled out of the next two races in Germany and USA after breaking his ankle during qualifying at Assen.

"Given his results in this year's AMA Superbike championship, Jamie was the obvious choice for Kawasaki when the factory started looking for a temporary replacement for John Hopkins," said team boss Michael Bartholemy.

"We are looking forward to seeing what he can do on our bike at Laguna Seca, especially after he broke the lap record at Kawasaki's Autopolis circuit in Japan during two days of testing on the Ninja ZX-RR this week.

"One big advantage that Jamie has is that he knows the track extremely well, and I think that will count in his favour, as it will allow him to focus completely on the bike during the race weekend."