John Hopkins vs Chris Vermuelen

IMO, this is the most intriguing team-mate battle in Grand Prix at the moment. They seem to be neck and neck in terms of talent, but who do you think will come out on top at the end of 2007?

I'm not a big fan of Hopper, but I'm going to back him on this one. I think the talent has always been there but he always seemed to be a bit of a playboy (Liuzzi style), although that may be just an image thing rather than an actual mentality. I think he will come out on top in terms of point-haul, and I think he'll get a win before the seasons out.

As much as I like Chris, when the chips are down, at the moment he only seems to beat Hopkins in the wet. He only does it occasionally when its dry. But seeing as this is only his second year, there could be improvements in the future.

Right now, Hopper is better without a doubt.

In the future i don't know, CV has a lot of talent and with some experience he could be a real front runner, but maybe there is still more to come from Hopper. Its too hard to decide i give up.

to be honest i like them both equaly at the moment, i liked cv in supers and i like the jack the lad hopper.
i dont no if im quite right thinking this but ,when a rider wins a wet race it says to me that they have huge tallent but an under powered bike or a bike that doesnt handle at speed with great lean angles. im very interested in a lot of riders at mugello, cv and hopper to see what this new engine is like and will it make one or both competitive,yam and ducati for obvious reasons and honda cos believe it or not im rootin for hayboy.

This is a tough one. The easy answer would be Hopkins. He's been up at the front of every race this year, is the more experienced MotoGP rider and just looks more dangerous and/or likely for a good result (if you know what I mean...). He can't afford too many more crashes like Jerez, though.

On the other hand, Vermeulen has beaten Hopkins to every single milestone: first to pole, first to podium, and, now, first to win. The fact that all three of those came in the wet suggests.... what? Rain is a level playing field and skill rises to the top? Or is it that riders with a smoother, less aggressive style are favoured? The same aggression that means in the dry guys with the greater skill can push themselves/machine/tyres closer to the limit?

If this was a boxing match, in spite of Vermeulen's win at Le Mans, I think you'd have to give a split decision on points to Hopkins. They are both still only 24, and their best is still ahead of them. But I think once Vermeulen gets his qualifying act together, we might see him up the front more, and the two of them battling on the track as well. I have a feeling that Vermeulen might end up with more points at the end of 2007...

Both are out of contract at the end of the season, right? Silly season rumours just adds more spice. Already we've heard about Kawasaki and Hopkins. Anything about Vermeulen surfaced yet?

difficult one.

CV is certainly being flattered by some recent good results, as mentioned above, however I would go for Hopper for consistantly having the Zuki at the sharp end.

'People' have raved about Hopper for years and if I'm honest - I never really saw what the fuss was about. But he's certainly showing his worth now and rather than him (or Chris) moving onto a more capable bike - I would prefer Zuki to get them the bike they deserve and really start causing a headache for Yam/Honda.

It's all good.

I've always considered Hopkins the more naturally talented rider. He's trys his heart out and will outride the bike a lot of the time to his detriment, and could be the reason why CV may very well end up higher in the standings come the end of the season. It's too early to say what will happen this year, the eternal promise from Suzuki that they'll give the guys a bike that can win every weekend has still to be honoured. We don't know how John will get on racing at the front with Rossi/Stoner & co every weekend, if he'll keep his head or let his heart take over. Chris' ride in France proved what I thought, he's a cooler customer but I'm on the fence as to who is the better racer, at the moment I'd say they're pretty even. If Suzuki really get the GSVR up at the front we'll see who makes better use of it. Good topic.

yes indeed it is a good topic. this is hoppers 6th season in gps & i've always thought that he was a bit overated myself. but considering the junk hes had to ride around on, i think i was just more dissaponted than anything. as skid says he rides all out with his heart pinned to his leathers as it were, & i've started to really pull for him. i know his results hav'nt been to impressive over the seasons but i think the new suzuki has already started to change that. i think hopper will end up ahead of cv for the season unless we get alot of wet races. CV is a massive talent but is going to have to get a little more aggressive in the dry. maybe being a sbker it will take him another season or 2 before he really starts to shine. sorta like hayden. anyway my 2cents worth...

Hopper...end of disc....

i like CV...but Hopper's my boy.......and my dog.

All good points which I agree with but to tell the truth all I want to see is Suzukis at the front and I don't mind who's on them.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rgvneil @ May 30 2007, 08:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>All good points which I agree with but to tell the truth all I want to see is Suzukis at the front and I don't mind who's on them.

+1

nice thread !

this is what we need man

Hopper, hands down.CV is a monsoon man only,very inconsistent in the dry

Hopper is better in the dry.

Vermeulen is better in the wet.

I think Chris has just as much bad luck as John, but IMO CV rode better last year, and can handle pressure better. Other than the "wind blowing" over, John has only impressed me till this season. Other than his rookie year, that is.

HOPPER!! Hahaha how did you know I would say that?

As much as I love Hopper I think CV will win Laguna Seca.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Captain Snow @ May 30 2007, 06:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>As much as I love Hopper I think CV will win Laguna Seca.

This could be very true. I was at the corkscrew last year watching Vermulen lead the race before his tires gave out in the excrutiating track temperature (and ...... surface).

In a nutshell I see Hopper as having a heart of gold and is a hard worker, where Vermulen is more of a natural. Either type of rider can be better than the other, but in the end the natural has the advantage. In the future we will see Vermulen get better and better that I guarantee.

As for Hopper, He's on his way to his first DRY win! Which holds just as much respect in my eyes as a wet race win. They're just different. I sure did enjoy that Le Mans race I must have watched it 3 or 4 times already!

I would love to see Hopper take a win in Mugello. I would also love to see Stoner bin it and walk away unscathed to even up the Championship chase a bit! Even though I love Stoner, he needs a little humbling

CV's talent is starting to shine through, Hopper has the upper hand though IMO, but both riders compliment the team nicely, heres hoping they will be challenging for a title or 2 in the not so distant future!

Hopkins is better in the dry for sure imo and vise versa in the wet, infact Chris is probs one of the most skilled riders in the field in the wet, but its uselss when you might get 1 or 2 wet races a year.

Fan of both though.

Both guys are impossible to hate. Obviously i prefer one before the other, but im equally happy to see either boy win a race.

but for the moment the points speak for me ....
5. CV - 63
6. JH - 59

definatley the most interesting teammate battles we've had in awhile

Like em both but I think if Vermuelen had 6 years in GP's he'd be ahead of Hopper. He' only now just learning all the tracks and the dude can ride in the dry. I'm thinking CV by 10 at the end of the year!!

One of them is going to be World Champion next year...and he doesn't like burrowing underground!