John Hopkin🎃s has been disqualified from next weekend's Malaysian GP, a𝓀s punishment for a first-corner accident at today's Pacific GP.

The Suzuki rider collided with Carlos Checa, causing both to fall, and also Ducati's Troy Bayliss, who was close behind. American Colin Edwards was also in🐓volved, but did not fall.

Hopkins admitted at the time that he had got into the first corner too hot in his en♔thusiasm to make a good start, and publicly apologised to all the oth💃er riders.

"We'd bee𝔉n running pretty decent tim💧es all weekend, and I wanted the best start possible," he said. "I went into the first turn too hot, and there was nowhere to go except into Checa. I deeply apologise to him; I made a huge mistake. I also want to apologise to the other riders involved as well."

After the race, however, Race Direction elected to punish his error by disqualifying him from the next round, at Sepang in Malaysia next weekend. According to the official sta🐻tement, he had "ridden in an irresponsible manner causing danger to other riders."

The team i♓mmediately protested the decision, but it was confirmed by the FIM stewards later that evening.

A disappointed Hopkins left the circuit without making any fu🦋rther co♌mment.

"We appealed, but it was rejected, and we are deeply disappointed. In our opinion, the punishment is overly severe," said team manager Garry Tayl🍎or. "Th꧋ere have been many similar incidents in the past that have gone completely unpunished. In our view, it was a normal racing incident. However, we have to accept the authority of the stewards."

As a result, only two Suzukis will take part in next weekends race, ridden by team regular Kenny ꦉRoberts Jr., and wild-card entry Akira Ryo, who finished 15th and 10th respectively in today'sꦜ race.