John Hopkins says he cannot wait to get the 2011 season underway after his deal to join the M▨CE British Superbike Championship wa🦹s officially confirmed.

As expected, Crescent Suzuki has announced it will field the former MotoGP rider in 2011, the American following in the wheel tracks of forme🌠r rival Sylvain Guintoli in making the switch to BSB with the Jack Valentine-helmed squad.

🃏Looking to become the first American to win a BSB race, Hopkins is excited to be starting a new chapter in his career having been bliꩵghted by injury woes in recent years.

"I am really looking forward to BSB and working with Crescent again, it will obviously be a different crew but I know they are a great group of guys and that will be a good foundation to start the season.

"It is going to be a huge challenge for me, I know there are ▨new tracks to learn, but I am not too concerned, I have to say with a passion for motocross I am definitely looking forward to Cadwell Park! I have seen the racing and photos from there and I can't wait to have a go myse🔥lf.

"I have seen BSB races before and I know that there is some tough competition there, so I am excited to get started - especially as I haven't raꦿced most of the other riders before. It is pretty much a level playing field in terms of the riders and their experiences, but that always makes for the best racing.

"Everyone says how close BSB is and I know that it will be the same this season, but I know I am joining one of the top teams and we will have b🍨een testing ready for the start of th𝔉e championship

Hopkins switched from MotoGP to Superbikes in 2009 with a deal to ride a Stiggy Honda in the world championship, but he would only start six of those races. Furthermore, having most recently competed in the AMA Superbike series he misse▨d a large portion of the season through injury.

"I have been unlucky with injury in past seasons - that comes with the territory but I can honestly say that I am fitter than I have eve♋r been before, both mentally and physically. I know I had a reputatio🤪n in the past, but it has all changed and my focus is on racing and I am really enjoying it.

"I wouldn't be coming to BSB if I didn't think I could be successful and I think it will be a better stepping stone for my 🐲future. The team had a great season last year and I am confident in them and the bike that we will be up there where we need to be.

"My style really suits the Suzuki and I am looking forward to riding the full-blown Superb🐭ike again, as in the U.S series the bikes are more restricted.🌌"

Hopkins is a former four-time podium winner at MotoGP level and thus one of the most successful riders to be joining the BSB series. As such, series director Stuart Higgs is delighte♒d to be welcoming him to the fold.

"Back in the 70s and 80s riders from the United States regularly graced the English circuits; legends such as Kenny Roberts, Randy Mamola ꧑and Freddie Spencer, so it is fantastic for BSB to restart that tradition. I'm sure John's arr♊ival will be nothing short of spectacular."