John Hopkins to Stiggy Honda in WSBK.

After Kawasaki pulled the plug on their MotoGP effort and left Melandri and Hopkins without a ride, there was some doubt where either rider would end up for 2009. Melandri will toil away on what was formerly the Kawasaki bikes (all of Kawasaki's development work ends this month) on a team called Hayate racing.

Where Hopkins would end up has been the subject of much speculation. Well finally, it is decided. Hopkins will ride as a third rider on the Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR in World Superbikes starting with the next round on April 5. His teammates are former BSB rider and series rookie Leon Haslam and former GP rider Robbie Rolfo. Haslam has already been on the podium at Australia this year, so the bike appears to be competitive.