Kawasaki Racing Team - Valencia

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 17 - GRAND PRIX BETANDWIN.COM DE LA COMUNITAT VALENCIANA
01 NOVEMBER 2005 - EVENT PREVIEW


HOFMANN AND NAKANO READY FOR FINAL RACE OF THE SEASON
Germany's Alex Hofmann will return to the Kawasaki line-up for this Sunday's Valencia Grand Prix, the final event of a marathon, 17 race, MotoGP World Championship season.

Out of action for seven weeks because of injury, Hofmann will race alongside Kawasaki's MotoGP stalwart, Shinya Nakano, who is currently in tenth place in the championship points.

The Valencia race comes seven months after the championship also opened in Spain, with the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.

That race produced an outstanding performance by Nakano, his best qualifying and race result of the season. After qualifying fifth on the grid, Nakano finished an impressive fifth in the race.

Nakano is aiming for a similarly strong end to the season on the compact, stadium-style Ricardo Tormo circuit, which squeezes 14 turns into a lap distance of 4.005 km.

Nakano was seventh in this race last year, on a track of primarily left turns (nine) and short straights - the longest being 876 metres.

This will be Hofmann's final race appearance aboard a Ninja ZX-RR, with Kawasaki recently confirming that MotoGP rookie, French rider Randy de Puniet, will be Nakano's partner for the 2006 season.

Over the past six weeks Hofmann has undergone an intense programme of rehabilitation and physiotherapy - between four and six hours per day - in a bid to be fit for Valencia.

Hofmann had 16 screws and two plates inserted to correct eight fractures to his left ankle and foot, following a crash in the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi in September. The full extent of Hofmann's injury was not discovered until he returned to Germany and was treated by specialist, Dr Walther, in a Munich clinic.

Having missed seven races in an injury-hit season, Hofmann is eager to return to race action for the season-closing Valencia Grand Prix, and work with his Kawasaki team mechanics for the final time.

Shinya Nakano: #56
"I would like to finish the season with the same, or better, result than in Jerez. Valencia is a technical track and I like it, but it is difficult to overtake, so this makes qualifying very important. I remember that our tyre supplier, Bridgestone, had pole position here last year. A good grid position, and a fast start, are critical at this track. Overall I have enjoyed the season and, despite a couple of long flights, it seems to have gone very fast; it feels like I started racing just a couple of months ago. My goal was to finish better than tenth in the championship, but at the moment this is the reality for the Kawasaki team - with factory bikes from Honda, Yamaha and Ducati ahead in the points. For sure next year we need to take a big step forward, but I'm positive about this, it is one of the reasons I have stayed with Kawasaki for 2006, to continue with the ZX-RR project."

Alex Hofmann: #66
"I can't wait to be back, I have watched far too many races on TV this season. I reckon I've got more screws in my ankle than the mechanics have in their toolboxes! I really must thank Dr Walther in Munich and everyone who has helped me in the rehabilitation - even if they thought I was joking when I said I wanted to race in Valencia. The Motegi crash was the worst I've had in terms of injuries, but that is behind me. I want a positive finish to the season in my final race with Kawasaki and to work with my mechanics again - they have been a great team. The physiotherapy and training have not been easy, but I have done everything possible to be as close to 100% fit, and I'll do the best job that my body will allow. I've done a couple of tours on my Z-1000, to put some weight on my ankle, however the other riders have done the best training - they have been racing MotoGP."

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 17 - GRAND PRIX BETANDWIN.COM DE LA COMUNITAT VALENCIANA
04 NOVEMBER 2005 - FREE PRACTICE


PAINFUL DAY FOR NAKANO AND HOFMANN IN VALENCIA
The opening day of free practice for the final race of the season proved a painful one for Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia today.

Following two crashes in the morning free practice session, Nakano was forced to stop early in the afternoon session, suffering a painful injury to his left hand.

And while Hofmann completed an impressive 53 laps across the two hours of practice, he also finished the day feeling less than 100% fit. Today was Hofmann's first day of track action aboard the Ninja ZX-RR after a seven week injury lay-off.

After completing just 11 laps in the afternoon free practice session, Nakano stopped to have further treatment on his injured hand. He finished 15th fastest, one place behind Hofmann in 14th.

Nakano's day got off to a poor start when he was bumped from his Ninja ZX-RR by Loris Capirossi's sliding Ducati just seven minutes into the first session. Later in the session he high-sided, and suffered bruising, but no fractures, to the back of his left hand.

After treatment at the Clinica Mobile, Nakano rode with painkillers in the afternoon session, but was still suffering while operating the clutch during downshifts and braking.

Following further treatment Nakano expects to be fit for tomorrow's qualifying and Sunday's race.

Hofmann made a safe and steady return to track action, while riding with two plates and 16 screws in his left ankle and foot.

Hofmann was eager for track time to rebuild his confidence and speed following his crash in the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi. He worked through a range of technical set-ups and tyre evaluations for Bridgestone and will continue the programme tomorrow.

Track conditions were cool and overcast for both of today's sessions.

Alex Hofmann: #66 - Fourteenth - 1'34.778
"It feels good to be back in MotoGP and I'm a little surprised that I have made it back so soon after the injuries at Motegi - no doctors thought this was possible. I'm feeling a little pain and restricted movement in my left ankle, but it's acceptable, and I did not want to use painkillers and lose any feeling. Speed wise I'm quite happy to be just 1.3s off the best time after being away for seven weeks, but for sure I'm not in 100% condition - either physically or mentally. When you are away you realise it takes time to adjust to the speed of these bikes. Today was mainly to get some rhythm, and although I had some problems with right side grip we have different tyre options to try tomorrow, one with better edge-grip that Shinya used today."

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Fifteenth - 1'34.832
"I stopped early today to have further treatment and preserve my condition for Sunday's race, there are still two days to go. I rode with painkillers and they did a good job, but after 10 laps I felt some sharp pain in the back of my hand, it was difficult to control the clutch during downshifts and braking. In the first crash Loris was already sliding when he pushed me off, and then I had a high-side and injured my hand. It is not a good start to the weekend, but I hope to recover some strength in my hand and be ready to race."

FREE PRACTICE - COMBINED TIMES
1. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP 1'33.884; 2. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.042; 3. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP +0.059; 4. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda +0.258; 5. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.266; 6. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda +0.503; 7. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +0.576; 8. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda +0.630; 9. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda +0.639; 10. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +0.665; 11. Toni Elias (SPA) Fortuna Yamaha Team +0.697; 14. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.314; 15. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.368

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 17 - GRAND PRIX BETANDWIN.COM DE LA COMUNITAT VALENCIANA
05 NOVEMBER 2005 - QUALIFYING PRACTICE


NAKANO AND HOFMANN IMPRESS IN VALENCIA QUALIFYING
Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, bravely rode through the pain barrier to record impressive qualifying times for tomorrow's end-of-season Valencia Grand Prix.

Both Nakano and Hofmann were within one second of pole position, set by Sete Gibernau, and ahead of seven-time World Champion Valentino Rossi, who qualified fifteenth.

Nakano will start from ninth on the third row while Hofmann, in his final race appearance aboard the Ninja ZX-RR, will start from 12th position.

Nakano required a painkilling injection 30 minutes before the start of qualifying to ease the discomfort in his bruised left hand, injured when he crashed in yesterday's first free practice session.

With 18 minutes remaining in the one hour session Nakano posted the third fastest time, moving up from 14th. He posted another fast lap later in the session to hold a top five spot before finishing ninth on the grid, just 0.4s off a front row start.

Nakano's hand injury is at its worst while operating the clutch for downshifts in the frequent heavy braking zones of the 14-turn Valencia circuit.

Meanwhile, Hofmann continued to defy medical opinion with a gritty and fast performance, despite riding with a plate and 16 screws in his left ankle and foot.

The 25-year-old German rider has not ridden a MotoGP bike for seven weeks, but still rose to the occasion and out-qualified factory rivals from Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda.

Hofmann was firmly established in the top ten until the final minutes of the session when he made a mistake at the final corner on his final fast run.

While neither is 100% fit, both Nakano and Hofmann believe they have strong race set-ups for the 30-lap race, which promises to be a gruelling test of endurance on this compact and physical circuit.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Ninth - 1'32.663
"That was very difficult, I could not have ridden without an injection in my hand. Even so, the hard part is under brakes and in the right-hand corners, I could not push any faster because of my hand. The race will be tough over 30 laps, I'm not sure about the condition of my hand but I will try my best. We have a strong race set-up, the bike feels good and this morning I did not think this qualifying position would be possible - I didn't think I could ride this afternoon."

Alex Hofmann: #66 - Twelfth - 1'32.966
"I'm a little disappointed because I had been faster than Shinya in the three free practice sessions and I thought I could have stayed ahead this afternoon. I tried to catch a tow on my final lap, but Barros and Tamada were just playing so I went alone. I had a fast lap going until the final corner - I lost the rear on entry and this cost me a lot of acceleration onto the straight. But overall I'm surprised to be within one second of pole after being away for seven weeks, and not taking big risks, I cannot afford to crash while I'm not 100% fit. Now I'm just going out to enjoy my final race with Kawasaki, and do the maximum that my body will allow - the longest run I've done this weekend is ten laps."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"I am full of admiration for the strong comeback by Alex, he is pushing very hard despite not being 100% fit. This is a very brave performance and Alex deserves to have a good result in his final race with Kawasaki, I just hope his physical endurance allows him to do this. It was not so easy for Shinya either, as he is also suffering, to a lesser extent, with an injury. I hope he can also have a good race tomorrow."

QUALIFYING PRACTICE 1 - FINAL TIMES
1. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP 1'31.874; 2. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP +0.237; 3. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda +0.343; 4. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.500; 5. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda +0.510; 6. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +0.582; 7. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +0.608; 8. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda +0.644; 9. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +0.789; 10. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda +0.808; 11. John Hopkins (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP +0.911; 12. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +1.092

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
ROUND 17 - GRAND PRIX BETANDWIN.COM DE LA COMUNITAT VALENCIANA
06 NOVEMBER 2005 - MOTOGP RACE


TENTH IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR BATTLE WEARY NAKANO
The 2005 MotoGP season came to an exhausting close in front of 125,000 fans today, with both Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, finishing in the points in the Valencia Grand Prix.

Nakano's eleventh place finish in the race confirmed his tenth place in the championship standings, while Hofmann was an impressive 14th in his comeback ride from injury.

Both Nakano and Hofmann rode with debilitating injuries and were physically and mentally drained at the end of the 30-lap race.

Nakano raced after a pain-killing injection in his bruised and swollen left hand, while Hofmann ignored the discomfort and lack of strength in his left foot.

Today was Hofmann's final race appearance with the Kawasaki team and he raced bravely, just seven weeks after having two plates and 16 screws inserted in multiple ankle and foot fractures.

Both Nakano and Hofmann were lucky to survive turn one during a frantic start to today's race.

A cautious Hofmann found the rider-less Ducati of Roby Rolfo in front of him after the Italian rider had banged into the rear of Nakano's Ninja ZX-RR and crashed.

Nakano lost four places and Hofmann three, in this opening lap skirmish.

On the difficult-to-pass Valencia track, and less than 100% fit, both riders settled into a race plan to finish in the points.

Nakano chased and passed John Hopkins for tenth position on lap eight but could not close the gap on Makoto Tamada. Over the final five laps Nakano knew his physical condition made him vulnerable and he had to concede tenth position to Toni Elias just two laps from the end.

By mid-race Hofmann had settled into 13th place behind Hopkins, Elias and Nakano and was matching their race pace. Wisely, Hofmann did not want to chance the high-risk passing moves required to make forward progress and was just happy that he had enough strength to finish the gruelling race.

Nakano's hand injury will keep him out of this week's Valencia test, and he will return to Japan for further examination and treatment.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Eleventh
"The final five laps were very difficult with my hand and it was not easy to concentrate. I knew Toni (Elias) was behind me and that if he challenged me it would be impossible to hold him back, so l let him go past - I knew I needed the points in the championship. When Rolfo hit me in turn one at the start I was lucky not to crash, but then I had a good race with Hopkins, although I could not catch Tamada-san. For sure tenth is not the position that either I, nor Kawasaki, wanted in the championship, but everyone is already working very hard for next season. I want to thank everyone in my team and I know we can do much better in 2006."

Alex Hofmann: #66 - Fourteenth
"That was the maximum my body would allow me to do today. Over the final ten laps my leg was folding and I knew that trying to overtake would be a big risk, plus my concentration was fading. And in my final race for Kawasaki I wanted to finish in the points. To be honest, I don't know how I made it through turn one, I was lucky not to hit Rolfo's Ducati. When I was behind Hopkins we could match Shinya's pace, but it was impossible to find a way past. I want say a big thanks to all the boys in my crew for their support, it has been great working with them. I'll be back."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"Finally, a tough, and sometimes unlucky season is over. It was a difficult weekend for both our riders and the injuries to Shinya and Alex mirrored what happened earlier in the season. They both did a great job today, but now it's time to look forward. We must aim for better results next season, and already both Kawasaki and Bridgestone are working towards that goal. My thanks to both riders and everyone in the team for their dedication this season."

MOTOGP RACE RESULT
1. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP 46'58.152; 2. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda +0.097; 3. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +2.959; 4. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team +18.718; 5. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda +20.706; 6. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda +21.254; 7. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +23.142; 8. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team +25.678; 9. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda +36.710; 10. Toni Elias (SPA) Fortuna Yamaha Team +39.116; 11. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team +41.136; 12. Ryuichi Kiyonari (JPN) Camel Honda +45.691; 14. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team +49.856

2005 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team 367; 2. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP 220; 3. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 206; 4. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team 179; 5. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda 173; 6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team 157; 7. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP 150; 8. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda 147; 9. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team 138; 10. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team 98; 19. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team 91