Hopkins angry at Checa let-off.

Suzuki rider John Hopkins returned to the MotoGP paddock today at Phillip Island, having spent the past week on holiday in Australia, while serving his one race suspension.

The Anglo-American was controversially banned from Sepang following a first-corner incident at Motegi the previous week, when he crashed into Carlos Checa and Troy Bayliss.

"I've been up north, at Surfers Paradise and the Sunshine Coast for a few days. I watched the Malaysian GP, and heard about Checa's problems there, without getting penalised, which made me pretty angry," admitted Hopkins, with reference to the Spaniard being let-off after 'flooring' his own team-mate in Sepang qualifying a week ago.

Hopkins then declared his intent to make up for lost time - and certainly won't be afraid to push the limits again, regardless of race direction's earlier decision.

"This weekend I'm going out there to give it everything I can," he added. "I like the track and we tested here at the beginning of the season. I'll go for it, and see what I can do. I'm not going round with my tail between my legs, that's for sure."

"We protested the disqualification, but it was over-ruled," added team manager Garry Taylor. "We have to accept the decision of the FIM race stewards - but we were very encouraged by the strength of the support for John from other riders and teams. Now we have to put it behind us, and do the best we can for this race."

The Suzuki team look set to run as yet unknown stickers making humorous reference to Hopper's dangerous riding 'conviction'.