JOHN Hopkins will return on the Ducati Panigale for the next round of the British Superbike Championship when it heads to Thruxton.

After an impressive debut at Brands Hatch, where the American finished sixth in race one, he will now line-up for the fast Hampshire circuit, his Lloyds Moto Rapido Ducati team confirmed.

Hopkins is standing in for Czech rider Jakub Smrz who is recovering from an operation to repair his thumb which he injured in a crash at Snetterton.

Team owner Steve Moore said: ‘After speaking with Jakub and his medical team today the risk for him riding with such an injury is too high to take.

‘Whilst his hand feels strong now, any further damage would cause huge complications for him.  So for our local round at Thruxton John will continue on the Ducati. The plan past Thruxton will be finalised soon, we are exploring options now and wish Kuba a strong recovery.’

The race at Thruxton is on August 2. 

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