TRIUMPHANT KAWASAKI CELEBRATE IN JAPAN
An elated Kawasaki Racing Team are today celebrating Randy
de Puniet's superb second place at the Japanese Grand Prix
at Motegi, after one of the most thrilling races in recent
MotoGP history.
The 26-year-old Frenchman, starting from fourth on the grid,
got off to a patchy start when he dropped back to 10th place
as the pack launched itself off the line. He then had to contend
with a couple of trips into the gravel, and a pit stop to
change bikes, but it all failed to stop him from scoring his
first ever premier class podium position.
What started as a wet race soon turned out to be a dry one
and pit lane was a hive of frenzied activity as, one by one,
riders came in to change bikes and slick tyres became the
order of the day. De Puniet swapped machines at the end of
lap seven and went from eighth position to 13th when he rejoined
the track. From there, he made steady progress until finding
himself behind eventual winner, Loris Capirossi, on lap 16,
where he stayed until the end. It is a longed-for and hard-earned
reward for him, his crew, the team and Bridgestone who are
also celebrating: all today's top three riders, plus new world
champion, Casey Stoner, are in partnership with the Japanese
tyre manufacturer.
Anthony West, also rode what can only be described as an
incredible race. From sixth on the grid, the Australian found
himself leading by the end of the second lap but, after a
jump-start, he had to complete a ride through penalty and
rejoined the pack in 14th. However, the 26-year-old was in
no mood to give in and continued to fight his way back until
he then had to pit again, this time to change bikes. In the
process, he went from seventh to 11th but still he rode hard,
eventually, and against all odds, finishing the race in a
magnificent seventh, equalling his previous best MotoGP performance
at Laguna Seca, where he'd encountered none of today's obstacles.
Wild card rider, Akira Yanagawa, also has something to smile
about. Five years after debuting the first 990cc Kawasaki
MotoGP bike at Motegi, but failing to finish after a mechanical
problem caused him to crash out, the 36-year-old has now completed
a premier class race, taking 17th position in a field of 21.
He pulled a huge wheelie over the line, much to the delight
of the team who were, by this stage, clambering all over pit
wall in euphoria over all three riders' achievements.
It was a particularly special race for Kawasaki: the team's
first 800cc podium, the first podium this season, West leading
a MotoGP for the first time and Yanagawa finally completing
a premier class race. And all at the manufacturer's home round.
Randy de Puniet
#14 - Position - 2nd
"I'm very happy because that was a really hard race.
I chose to use a hard rain tyre but after a few laps it felt
too hard and twice I ended up in the gravel, losing me a lot
of time. I changed to the bike with the slicks and, when I
exited the pits, I thought my race was over but I continued
to push. When I saw on my pit board I was in second I was
really surprised but to be on the podium in Japan for Kawasaki
and Bridgestone is perfect. And I'm really grateful to my
crew because they've worked so hard to help me get here."
Anthony West
#13 - Position - 7th
"I could have done so much better. It was great to lead
the race but I'm angry I jump-started. The ride through lost
me a lot of time and then I didn't know about changing the
bikes because I've never done it before. When I did come in,
I stalled and that lost me even more time. I didn't know what
was going on and it was pretty nerve-wracking. But the bike
felt great today and I felt strong, too, which is why I was
able to get to the front. Considering I had to stop twice
and stalled the bike, I guess seventh's not too bad!"
Akira Yanagawa
#87 - Position - 17th
"It's not the best position but my aim was to finish
and I have. Five years of waiting is over! I had a problem
with the rear brake at the start so I had to come in and change
my bike, which had slicks on it and, at this stage, the track
was still quite wet so it was like riding on an ice rink for
a few laps. But then I started to make progress and my lap
times were good. I'm really glad I finished at last!"
Michael Bartholemy
Kawasaki Competition Manager
"A great race and a good weekend. It's our first podium
since the team have gone in house, so it's quite a big moment
for us, especially as it's come at our home race and in front
of our Japanese colleagues, who have put so much time and
effort into making our Ninja ZX-RR so competitive. We were
leading with Anthony and yes, we had his drive through penalty,
but then he came back and rode a brilliant race. Congratulations
also to Akira, who finally managed to finish his home race
after five years of waiting. And we're on the podium with
Randy so, unless you win, I don't think it gets much better."
1. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team 47'05.484; 2.
Randy De Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team +10.853; 3. Toni
Elias (SPA) Honda Gresini +11.526; 4. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA)
Tech 3 Yamaha +12.192; 5. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda Gresini
+28.569; 6. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team +31.179;
7. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing Team +50.001; 8. Alex
Barros (BRA) Pramac d'Antin Ducati +52.343; 9. Nicky Hayden
(USA) Repsol Honda Team +53.629; 10. John Hopkins (USA) Rizla
Suzuki MotoGP +59.715; 17. Akira Yanagawa (JPN) Kawasaki Racing
Team +1 Lap
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