Submitted by Kropotkin on Thu, 2008-07-10 20:38.
News coming in thick and fast prior to the Grand Prix of Germany at the Sachsenring, as the MotoGP paddock assembles once again for the final leg of the summer slog.
First up comes official confirmation from Kawasaki that Jamie Hacking will replace John Hopkins at the US GP at Laguna Seca. The American - though British fan will claim him as their own, having been born in England - is currently the only man in the AMA Superbike series capable of taking the fight to Ben Spies and Mat Mladin. Hacking has already tested the Kawasaki in Japan for two days, but will have a lot of work to do once he gets to Laguna Seca. Roger Lee Hayden set the benchmark last year, finishing in 10th while running as a wildcard at Laguna, but with this year's Kawasaki not looking anywhere near as good as the 2007 bike, a top 10 finish looks out of the question.
Chaz Davies looked like a strong favorite to be given the ride initially, as the young British rider already has experience with both the Bridgestone tires and in MotoGP, having ridden the Pramac Ducati for the injured, and then fired, Alex Hofmann. But with Hacking doing so well in AMA Superbike, the MotoGP ride is likely to have been a fitting award for the 37 year old.
