John Hopkins has been disqualified from next weekend's Ma🌊laysian GP, as punishment for a first-corner accident at today's Pacific GP.

The Suzuki rider collided with Carlos Checa, 🦩causing both to fall, and also Ducati's Troy Bayliss, who was close behind. American Colin 💝Edwards was also involved, but did not fall.

Hopkins admitted at the time that he ෴had got into the first corner too hot in his enthusiasm to make a good start, and publicly apologised to all the other riders.

"We'd been running pretty decent times𝐆 all weekend, and I wanted the best start possible," he said. "I went into the first turn too hot, and there was nowhere to go except into Checa. I deeply apologise to him; I made a huge mistake. I also want to apologise to the other riders involved as well."

After the race, however, Race Direction elected to puniꦑsh his error by disqualifying him from the next round, at Sepang in Malaysia next weekend. According to the official statement, he had "ridden in an irresponsible manner causing danger to other riders."

The team immediately protested the decision, but it𝐆 was confirmed by the FIM stewards lat🦩er that evening.

A disappointed Hop𒈔kins left the circuit without making any further comment.

"We appealed, but it♏ was rejected, and we are deeply disappointed. In our opinion, the punishment is overly severe," s🐈aid team manager Garry Taylor. "There have been many similar incidents in the past that have gone completely unpunished. In our view, it was a normal racing incident. However, we have to accept the authority of the stewards."

As a result, only t𓄧wo Suzukis will take part in next weekends race, ridden by team regular Kenny Roberts Jr., and wild-card entry Akira Ryo, who finished 15th and 10th respectively in today's race.