American John Hopkins will be reunited with Crescent Suzuki in 2011, the former factory Suzuki MotoGP rider revealed to be joining the team in the 2011 British Superbike Championship.

Hopkins will begin testing the GSX-R1000 at Cartagena, Spain, in early March, the team owned by Paul Denning – current manager of the Suzuki MotoGP effort.

“I’ve never been as excited about a BSB season as I am about 2011 – it’s great to keep the team together and to be working with John again is a real opportunity,” Denning commented.

“This isn’t about money or politics for either of us – it’s about ambition and determination and John is putting everything he can into this.

“It’s been a tough couple of months for the BSB team, but the loyalty and support of so many partners and friends has been superb – we’re looking to repay them and I hope we add significantly to the excitement of the superb BSB series in 2011”.

Hopkins finished fourth in the 2007 MotoGP World Championship on a Suzuki and will be renewing a strong bond that was formed with Crescent during his time with the MotoGP team.

‘Hopper’ was born in Ramona, California but regards himself as half-British because both of his parents originated from London. He has always been proud of his UK heritage and races with the Union Flag on his leathers.

The 27-year-old racer is now back to full fitness following corrective wrist surgery last season to save his career, which was so successful, it enabled him to make a late-season comeback, also on a GSX-R, in the American Superbike Championship and secure podium finishes.

“I’m totally stoked about coming to Britain to race with Crescent in BSB, as this will feel a bit like coming home because I have so many friends and family over in the UK,” Hopkins commented.

“I’m 100 percent fit now and this will give me a great a great chance to prove that I’m still able to be competitive at the highest level. I’ve always dreamed of winning the world championship – that’s still my goal – and I see this as a fantastic opportunity to get that ambition back on track.

“I haven’t raced on many of the UK circuits, so that will be a big learning curve, but I’ll be able to get to grips with them quickly and hope to be on the pace as soon as possible.

The Suzuki’s a great package, I know I can win races and obviously winning the title is the ultimate goal, so we’ll have to see what we can do!”

An announcement is yet to be made regarding Crescent’s title and secondary sponsors for this season.