Superstock rider Luke Hopkins recovered from a disappointing opening race to show what he was about on a new bike at Donington Park.

Bad weather disrupted the weekend but Hopkins finished 18th in the second Pirelli National Superstock 1000 race, having started 31st. He had struggled to a 27th place finish in the damp first race.

The Sittingbourne racer switched from the Kawasaki he had been using to a new 2020 Honda Fireblade for the penultimate round of the series. He registered the 19th fastest time in free practice one on Friday before further progress was halted in a wet FP2.

Qualifying was cancelled because of adverse weather so grid positions were based on practice times.

Saturday’s racing was cancelled because of the weather which meant both races took place in Sunday. He was twice forced off the track on the opening lap of race one, leaving him in last place. He made up several places but finished 27th.

He started 31st in race two and made up nine places on the first lap, eventually finishing 18th after some hard-fought racing with rival riders.

Hopkins said: “Thanks to my team Hollins Strategic Land and all my sponsors including HM Quickshifter and Scuff 2 New. We made the decision to switch to the Honda and I am confident it will be better for me.

“Starting the second race in 31st was not ideal but I knew in the improved weather we had more pace.

“It was a lot of fun catching and overtaking a number of riders and I was delighted that we recovered to cross the line where we did.”

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