KAWASAKI CONFIRM WEST AS HOPKINS' TEAM MATE FOR 2008
The Kawasaki Racing Team confirmed their full rider line-up
for the 2008 season today at Misano, with the announcement
that 26-year-old Anthony West has been signed on a one-year
deal to ride alongside Kawasaki's other recent signing, John
Hopkins, next year.
West was drafted into the Kawasaki Racing Team back in June
as a replacement for Olivier Jacque, who moved across to head
up Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-RR development programme as the official
factory test rider. Since his arrival in MotoGP, West has
impressed with how quickly he has adapted to racing in the
premier series, as well as his consistent results during what
has been a period of intense adjustment for the Australian.
West, who resides in Austria during the season, has considerable
racing experience, having started out in the Australian Dirt
Track Championships in 1994, which he won soon afterwards.
It was a similar story in 1996 when he won his domestic Long
Track Championship as well. After a move to road racing, he
won the Australian 250cc Production Championship in 1998 and
took home the 'Rider of the Year' award.
West also had a period of racing in Japan before entering
the international Grand Prix paddock in 1999 as a 250cc rider.
After a brief foray into the two stroke 500cc series in 2001,
he rejoined the quarter litre series only to be largely frustrated
by substandard machinery and financial constraints that, whilst
difficult to contend with, failed to quench his talent and
determination to continue.
Earlier this year, West headed to World Supersport as a stand
in for injured Yamaha rider, and fellow countryman, Kevin
Curtain. In the three races he rode for the manufacturer,
he ended up with a third and two wins: at Misano and Silverstone.
Then, having caught the eye of Kawasaki team boss, Michael
Bartholemy, he was drafted in to replace Jacque in the factory
MotoGP squad and hasn't looked back since.
His early performances have shown remarkable promise: he
has notched up 33 points in just five rounds, with three of
those finishes being in the top ten and, as he grows more
used to the ZX-RR over time, Kawasaki are optimistic they
will see him shine ever brighter on track.
With his obvious gift and unquestioned passion for racing,
partnered with Hopkins' talents and wealth of experience,
the Kawasaki Racing Team offensive looks set to light up the
circuits of the world next year. Furthermore, the ever-advancing
speed and consistency of the Ninja ZX-RR, along with the reliability
and performance of their Bridgestone tyres, bodes well for
an electrifying season in 2008.
Anthony West
Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #13
"I feel great about how things have worked out. As you
can imagine, it's a huge weight off my shoulders. This is
definitely something I've been stressing about: whether I
can stay in MotoGP and, if so, for which team. But this really
is the best opportunity for me, to stay with Kawasaki, as
I'm really happy here. It's such a good team and a great bike
with all the support from the factory. Now, I've got one thing
less to worry about so I can just concentrate on riding. It
will be cool to be in a team with John Hopkins, too, as I
know him pretty well and we get along together. He's riding
really well at the moment, so hopefully I can push him next
year! This is such a massive difference to where I was earlier
this year in 250s. I didn't even think I was going to be racing
again and now I'm in one of the best teams in the paddock
and staying another year, so it's a big turn around. I'm just
so glad I kept trying and stuck at it. With the chances that
Kawasaki are giving me, it's really paid off, and I am looking
forward to repaying their faith in me with some good results
aboard the Ninja ZX-RR, both this year and next."
Michael Bartholemy
Kawasaki Competition Manager
"I think a lot of people in the paddock were surprised
when we brought Anthony into the team at Donington Park. His
route to a factory team in MotoGP was not an orthodox one,
but his performance so far this year aboard our Ninja ZX-RR
was enough to convince Kawasaki that he was the right choice
for next season. Now the pressure is off him, and I think
we will see this reflected in his racing for the remainder
of the season. As for his potential for next season, who knows?
He's young and he has the chance to show what he can do, and
I'm confident he will perform. Together with John Hopkins,
we have a very strong line up for the 2008 season. They're
both very determined riders and it's great to see a fantastic
team coming together."
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