Losail Race
HARD NIGHT FOR KAWASAKI IN QATAR
The 2008 MotoGP World Championship got off to a nail-biting
start today at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar.
The first race of the year saw new faces and old hands battling
it out for podium places, providing some of the most gripping
premier class racing for some time.
Kawasaki's John Hopkins started the night on great form,
finishing fourth overall in the early-evening warm up, and
things were looking positive as the #21 rider got a solid
start when the race began at 23:00 hours, local time. He made
it up to ninth position in the first few laps but, as the
race continued under the extensive floodlights of the 5.38km
circuit, he began having problems with front-end grip. Having
to fight the bike and hold it up on his leg, the pain of his
injured abductor muscle took its toll and he started losing
time. Hopper eventually finished the race in 12th place, picking
up four championship points.
It was a heroic effort by the 24-year-old Anglo-American,
riding at considerably less than peak fitness and, although
frustrated not to have finished further up the field, his
performance gives an indication of what he will be capable
of when he returns to full health and track conditions improve
in warmer climes.
Meanwhile, Hopkins's team mate, Anthony West, also had a
hard race, starting from the back of the grid after a difficult
weekend in which he struggled to find his form on the Ninja
ZX-RR. Having crashed during the weekend's earlier practice
sessions, his confidence had dropped and he, like his team
mate, struggled with the tricky conditions on the track, caused
by low night time temperatures in the Qatari desert. The 27-year-old
Australian crossed the line in 16th position at this, the
start of his first full season in MotoGP.
Whilst it wasn't the night that Kawasaki was hoping for,
lessons have been learned and injuries will hopefully soon
be fully healed, enabling the squad to be on top form at the
next round at Jerez, Spain, on 30th March.
John Hopkins
Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #21 - 12th
"The first half of the race felt good, and I was pretty
comfortable running inside the top ten. But then, at about
half race distance, the performance of the front tyre went
off, and it started sliding in the turns. I had no option
but to hold the bike up on my knee, but that put a lot of
pressure on my injury. The pain built up very quickly, and
by two-thirds distance it was excruciating. If it had just
been pain then I could have ridden through it, but in the
end I simply ran out of strength in the injured muscle, and
I just couldn't maintain my lap times. It was hard to make
it all the way to the end of the race, but although I'm disappointed
not to have finished higher, at least I know that the injury
wouldn't have been a limiting factor if it hadn't been for
the tyre problem. This gives me some confidence going into
the next race at Jerez."
Anthony West
Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #13 - 16th
"What can I say? Obviously I'm bitterly disappointed
with my result today, because I'm not here to finish at the
back of the field. I was suffering with the same problems
I had in practice and qualifying and I still didn't feel totally
comfortable on the bike. At around half race distance I started
to feel more confident, and in some sections of the circuit
I was much faster than Guintoli and Elias, who were in front
of me. Through the final section I could get right alongside
them, but I just didn't have enough speed to pass. And then,
as soon as we hit the straight, they cleared off. This has
been a weekend to forget, but I need to put it behind me now
and focus on the next race at Jerez."
Michael Bartholemy
Kawasaki Competition Manager
"It's been a difficult weekend for us, as throughout
practice we struggled with the track conditions. But then
John's fourth fastest time during this evening's warm-up session
meant that we went into the race with increased expectations
of a good result. Things were looking good, but then John's
front tyre went off, and he struggled to compensate due to
his groin injury. But even then he didn't give up; I don't
think I've ever seen anyone lifted off a bike in so much pain
at the end of a race. He's one hard rider. Anthony is obviously
disappointed with his performance this weekend, but he needs
to avoid the temptation to beat himself up over it, and instead
focus on regaining his form for the next race at Jerez. We
know he's capable of much more, and I hope he will fulfil
his potential properly next time out."
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 42'36.587; 2. Jorge
Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha +5.323; 3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol
Honda Team +10.600; 4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JIR Team Scott
+13.288; 5. Valentino Rossi (46) Fiat Yamaha +13.305; 6. James
Toseland (GBR) Yamaha Tech 3 +14.040; 7. Colin Edwards (USA)
Yamaha Tech 3 +15.150; 8. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki
MotoGP +32.505; 9. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Honda LCR +33.003;
10. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team +38.354; 11. Marco
Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +44.284; 12. John Hopkins
(USA) Kawasaki Racing Team +49.857; 16. Anthony West (AUS)
Kawasaki Racing Team +1'05.643
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