Hopkins to leave Suzuki

[Spree]

LONDON (Reuters) - American MotoGP rider John Hopkins will leave Suzuki at the end of the season to join Kawasaki, the official MotoGP Web site reported on Wednesday.
Hopkins, 24, is enjoying his most successful season in five years at Suzuki and took his first podium finish with third place in the Chinese Grand Prix in May.
Although neither Japanese manufacturer had formally confirmed the move, the Web site (www.motogp.com) said a Kawasaki statement was expected at this weekend's German Grand Prix.



Suzuki team manager Paul Denning told weekly Motor Cycle News that the deal was done.
"We have been informed by John's management that he has signed for Kawasaki," he said.


"It is a disappointment that John has chosen to go elsewhere. There are reasons for that other than performance," he added. "I think there are commercial reasons but it's not really our job to be concerned about that.


"We'd have been very, very happy to continue with John, we are disappointed he is leaving but you have to look at it as an opportunity rather than a problem," said Denning.


He said the team would fight to retain Australian Chris Vermeuelen.
"The intention to sign Chris is very, very clear," he said. "We brought Chris into MotoGP and he's done a brilliant job."

The motogp shuffle begins