From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2003
ROUND 10 – GAULOISES GRAND PRIX CESKE REPUBLIKY
15TH AUGUST 2003 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOFMANN SECURES FULL TIME KAWASAKI RIDE FOR 2004

Today the Kawasaki Racing Team and Alex Hofmann reached an agreement that will see the 23-year-old German rider contest all rounds of the 2004 MotoGP World Championship aboard the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR.

Hofmann joined the Kawasaki Racing Team as European test and development rider at the end of the 2002 season and, since taking on the role, the former German and European 250cc Champion has worked tirelessly alongside engineers from both the Kawasaki Racing Team and Kawasaki’s race division in Japan to develop the Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine.

In addition, Hofmann has impressed with strong performances in his outings as a Kawasaki Racing Team wild card rider, with his best result of the season so far being a hard fought tenth place finish during this year’s rain lashed Dutch TT.

It is these wild card performances that have led to Hofmann’s future becoming the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, with his name being linked to a number of high profile teams. However, after lengthy discussions between Kawasaki in Japan, the Kawasaki Racing Team and Hofmann’s manager, Dieter Theis, an agreement has been reached whereby the young German rider will continue his test and development role for the remainder of the season, before stepping up to a full time MotoGP ride with the Kawasaki Racing Team in 2004.

This weekend’s Czech Grand Prix at Brno marks the last of Hofmann’s planned wild card appearances aboard the Ninja ZX-RR this season.

Harald Eckl – Team Manager
“The discussions have been long, but I’m happy to be able to finally confirm the fact that Alex Hofmann will be riding full time for the Kawasaki Racing Team in 2004. Alex first came to my attention as a 16-year-old and, even then, it was obvious that he had the natural talent to compete at the very highest level. Since then I have watched his progress with interest and, at the end of the 2002 season, I had no hesitation in recommending him to Kawasaki for the role of European test and development rider.

“This season Alex has impressed with his mature and consistent approach, both to his test and development duties and to his wild card appearances for the team. During the past six months he has adapted well to the Ninja ZX-RR and developed his riding style to get the best from the bike; a fact borne out by his results as a wild card rider. Alex has enormous potential and I am confident that we will see him develop further as a rider in 2004. His work on developing the Ninja ZX-RR this season will also mean that we will be able to supply him with more competitive machinery in 2004.

“Alex will be the only German rider in the MotoGP class, so it is fitting that he should ride for a German team. There is of course another advantage to Alex’s nationality; for the first time I will be able to understand exactly what my rider is saying!”

Alex Hofmann
“The fact that I’ve had offers from other MotoGP teams for next season is probably the worst kept secret in the paddock at the moment! Maybe if I had only been looking at next year then the decision as to who to ride for would have been a lot easier to make, but I have had to think beyond 2004 and I believe that staying with the Kawasaki Racing Team is the best option in terms of my future MotoGP career.

“If someone had told me two years ago that I’d be starting my first full season in MotoGP at the age of 23 I wouldn’t have believed them. But it’s happened and my job now is to make the most of this opportunity, both for myself and for Kawasaki. We’ve worked hard to develop the Ninja ZX-RR this season and I’m confident that the progress we’ve made so far will allow Kawasaki to field a much stronger package in 2004. Both Kawasaki and Harald Eckl have shown a lot of faith in my ability by giving me this chance, now it’s down to me to prove their faith is justified.”

Dieter Theis
“A number of other factory teams in the MotoGP paddock were interested in securing Alex’s services for the 2004 season, but both Alex and I were keen to continue our relationship with the Kawasaki Racing Team and are therefore happy that we have managed to reach an agreement for next season. Kawasaki has shown a lot of faith in Alex this season and, as a loyal and consistent rider, he felt that it would be wrong to break the terms of his contract and depart from the team.

“However, the contract details were not the main reason for Alex’s decision to stay with the Kawasaki Racing Team for 2004. Alex is new to the MotoGP class and it is important that he is part of a team that is capable of developing his abilities as a rider. For many years Harald Eckl has been involved in developing young talent and I am confident that with his guidance Alex’s full potential will be realised. I am also confident that the development work being carried out by Kawasaki in Japan, in conjunction with the team’s engineers in Germany, will result in Kawasaki being able to provide Alex with competitive machinery with which to contest next year’s World Championship.”



(Editorial Note: Garry McCoy is looking for a ride, and has expressed interest in racing in the AMA Superbike Series.)