west

A twelfth placed finish wasn't what John Hopkins had been hoping for on his Kawasaki debut, but given that he rode through 'excruciating' pain from his recent groin injury - and battled severe front tyre problems - it was a mighty effort.

The Anglo-American now faces a race against time to be fully fit for the final pre-season test, at Qatar from February 28-29, or at least by the season opener on March 9.

The livery appeared during the opening day of testing at Phillip Island, in Australia, on Wednesday - when new signing John Hopkins also rode with green-and-black leathers for the first time. Hopkins and Anthony West finished the first day of testing 12th and 13th on the timesheets.

By Peter McLaren

By Peter McLaren

Those positions may not have set any pulses racing, but 'Team Green' insists that lap times weren't a concern and claims to be delighted with the impact former Suzuki rider Hopkins has already made.