CONFIDENT KAWASAKI HEAD FOR MISANO
Kawasaki's Anthony West and John Hopkins head for the Republic
of San Marino and the Misano circuit for round 13 of the MotoGP
World Championship in confident mood, after improvements to
the Ninja ZX-RR led to a strong showing by both riders last
time out at Brno.
Anthony West secured a career best finish with fifth place
in the Czech Republic Grand Prix, and after making further
steps forward with the set-up of his Ninja ZX-RR during the
post race test at the Brno circuit, the 27-year-old Kawasaki
pilot heads for Misano determined to continue his run of form
into this weekend's Grand Prix Di San Marino E Della Riviera
Di Rimini.
Although not one of his favourite circuits, the Misano track
has proved a happy hunting ground for West in the past. In
2007 the Australian took victory in the first World Supersport
race at the revamped circuit, before joining the Kawasaki
Racing Team and returning to the Republic of San Marino to
take a hard fought eighth place finish in last year's MotoGP
race. West returns to Misano this year determined to finish
top ten once again.
John Hopkins looked like a likely candidate for a podium
finish after qualifying on the front row and then making a
strong start in the Czech Republic Grand Prix less than one
week ago. Unfortunately for the Anglo-American, a gamble on
tyres didn't pay off and, after running at the front up to
the halfway point, Hopkins was forced to drop back to finish
11th at the flag after struggling with rear traction.
The 25-year-old Kawasaki pilot sat out the two-day, post
race test at Brno due to a minor, but painful, rib injury
sustained in a practice crash. Now fully fit once again, Hopkins
is confident that the upgrades to his Ninja ZX-RR made ahead
of the Brno race will give him the competitive package he
needs to fight for his, so far elusive, first podium finish
for Kawasaki this weekend in San Marino.
The Misano circuit features many fast-flowing sections along
with slower combinations that test machine and rider skill
to the maximum. The track is incredibly bumpy in places, and
with the sometimes stifling heat of the Adriatic coast, a
good tyre choice for durability throughout the race will be
an essential factor. The MotoGP weekend always has an electric
atmosphere, generated by the passionate Italian fans that
venture to see the racing action in their thousands.
Anthony West
Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #13
"I am looking forward to going to Misano following my
best ever result in MotoGP last time out at Brno. We had a
positive post-race test there, and we managed to make further
improvements to the bike, which has certainly made it easier
to ride. I hope that we can continue with our development
this weekend because I am determined for us to be fighting
for more strong results in the dry. I have spent the last
few days in Italy, where I've been out cycling, so I feel
relaxed and ready to take on the challenge. There's a good
atmosphere at this circuit, but after last year's washout
on the opening practice day, the weather could play a really
big part in proceedings."
John Hopkins
Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #21
"We had a positive weekend in Brno following my return
to the track after a long absence through injury and we managed
to put the Kawasaki on the front row. Although I didn't quite
achieve the result we were hoping for, Anthony got into the
top five, which just shows that the Kawasaki is improving
all of the time and is capable of gaining good results. I
really enjoy the Misano circuit, I managed to get on the podium
there last year so it's certainly a track I like. I've spent
the last week in Miami resting and training just to give the
injuries that I am still carrying the best possible time to
recuperate, so I'm feeling stronger and ready to achieve the
results we are more than capable of."
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