[Acidreign]

LONDON (Reuters) - Suzuki MotoGP rider John Hopkins believes world champion Valentino Rossi will be nowhere near as dominant this season.

"I don't think there's going to be one clear winner throughout the entire year," the 22-year-old American told Reuters at a MotoGP presentation in London on Wednesday ahead of next week's season-opening Spanish Grand Prix.

"I think it's going to be quite a mixture of things, a lot closer than it ever has been and I think there are going to be multiple winners throughout the year, I'm pretty sure of that," he added.

Rossi, 27, has dominated the top category of motorcycle racing for the past five years and was in a class of his own last year when he won 11 times for Yamaha.

However, the Italian has warned recently that he is worried about his bike's handling after being plagued by severe vibrations in the latest tests in Jerez.

"I wouldn't count him out, he's going to be the strongest contender, but he's not going to have as easy a job this year," said Hopkins, whose British arents moved from London to the San Diego suburb of Ramona.

"(Honda's Spanish 250cc champion) Dani Pedrosa is going to be really strong, (Italian) Marco Melandri is going to be really strong," he added.

Suzuki, in the doldrums since Kenny Roberts junior won the championship for them in 2000, could be back among the contenders with Hopkins and Australian newcomer Chris Vermeulen.

"Everyone's had their ups and downs throughout the testing, but basically we've been really busting our butt in trying to get our bike to the best level possible," said Hopkins, who was fourth fastest in this month's Barcelona tests.

"So far things are looking pretty good for us.

"Last year we didn't have the best year at all... but we've been finishing quite well at the end of the tests and been able to do a lot with the race tyres and get a lot more distance out of them.

"It's looking like it's going to be one of our best years so far at Suzuki," he added.

Hopkins has also drawn Rossi's anger for tailing him in testing.

"He gets upset but I'm just trying to learn as much as possible from him before he clears off to Formula One," said Hopkins with a smile, alluding to the Italian's recent tests with Ferrari.

"I don't think there's a problem in that. He's won seven world titles so he's got a lot to offer. Following him I guess one can learn a few things.

"I take it as a compliment, basically, because if he's finding us a threat it means we're doing our job."

((SPORT-MOTORCYCLING-HOPKINS. Editing by Ken Ferris; London Sports Desk; +44 207 542 7933))

[CBRVFR]

THAT'S a long read?


Thanks for posting it, anyway.

[Acidreign]

Long compared to a lot of the one/two liners that get posted. - looked longer when I was formating it. Oh well...

[MetallicCarrot]

Hopkins is an idiot. I watched him crash his golf-cart into a privateers tent and he just laughed and drove off. Didn't pick up any of the **** he knocked over, didn't apologize. What a douchebag.

I hope someone takes his Suzuki, turns it sideways, and shoves it up his ass. I'd love for KRJR to smoke him at every round.