The Kawasaki MotoGP team might not line-up at the 2009 MotoGP grid. Reports from Japan suggest the team could announce its retirement from the highest level of motor racing as early as next week. It would mean Californian John Hopkins will be without a job next season.
![]() |
"I heard it's up in the air, but I haven't heard anything confirmed yet," Hopkins told Cycle News. "I got some calls from the team manager (Michael Bartholemy) and he said that everything could be up in the air as to whether they run it or not, but nothing has been confirmed. I don't know what it would do to me. I'm really not sure. I've been talking to my managers and seeing what the plan is and they've been on the phone to Japan trying to figure it out as well. Right now I'm still contracted to them so I'm not sure what the plan is."
| John Hopkins news | |
|---|---|
| 25 Mar. | Hopkins to race in WSB Valencia round |
| 08 Dec. '08 | Successful surgery for Hopkins |
| 07 Jul. '08 | Hopkins ruled out for two races |
| 27 Jun. '08 | Broken ankle for Hopkins |
| 08 Jun. '08 | Injured Hopkins happy with top ten |
| 30 May '08 | Hopkins fastest on day one |
| More John Hopkins news, Photos | |
| Kawasaki Racing Team news | |
| 26 Feb. | Kawasaki to start 2009 season with Melandri |
| 09 Jan. | Official: Kawasaki pulls out of MotoGP |
| 16 Dec. '08 | Provisional 2009 entry list released |
| 23 Oct. '08 | West hopes to return to MotoGP one day |
| 14 Sep. '08 | Kawasaki confirms Melandri for 2009 |
| 20 Aug. '08 | Melandri confirms Kawasaki move |
| More Kawasaki Racing Team news, Photos | |