KAWASAKI IN NEW MOTOGP ADVENTURE TO CHINA The Kawasaki Racing Team will be part of a history-making MotoGP race in China at the Shanghai International Circuit on Sunday 1st May. The Chinese Grand Prix, which will deliver the glamour and excitement of MotoGP to the world’s most populous nation, is a significant milestone in the global expansion of motorcycle grand prix racing. This will be the first-ever FIM Road Race GP to be staged in China since the world championship began in 1949. The race opens a potential market of 1.7 billion people to MotoGP, which continues an impressive rise upwards in worldwide spectator and television audience figures. The 5.45 km Shanghai circuit is the most modern motorsport facility in the world, designed by renowned racetrack architect Hermann Tilke, who was also responsible for the circuits in Malaysia and Bahrain. Joining the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR squad for the China adventure is French rider Olivier Jacque, who will be re-united with former 250cc teammate Shinya Nakano. Jacque, 31, replaces regular team rider Alex Hofmann, who is out for five weeks as he recovers from fractures to the ulna and scaphoid bones in his left wrist. Jacque won the 250cc world championship in 2000. He scored 34 podiums, including seven victories, in an outstanding 250cc career before stepping back from full-time MotoGP racing in 2004. Meanwhile Kawasaki’s main man Nakano goes to China holding sixth place in the championship standings, and is the first Bridgestone rider in the points after two rounds. Since being called-up to the Kawasaki team Jacque has quickly adapted to the latest ZX-RR, having previously tested the 2004 model at Valencia last November. With no previous test data available from the Shanghai circuit this race will be a steep learning curve for riders and engineers, both from Kawasaki and tyre supplier Bridgestone. Shinya Nakano: #56 “This will be my first visit to Shanghai and all I know about the track is from watching the Formula One race on TV last year. For me the race in China is very interesting, it is just a two hour flight from Japan, and is part of Asia and I’m always happy to racing in this part of the world. I think the Kawasaki team has a good chance here because nobody has tested at this track and the conditions will be the same for everyone. We had a very productive test in Portugal, so I’m aiming to stay in the top six of the championship points.” Olivier Jacque: # 19 “I’m looking forward to the challenge of China and the Shanghai circuit in my first race for Kawasaki. After the test at Estoril I’m feeling more comfortable on the bike, although it takes time get back up to speed after being away from racing. One advantage for me is that the Shanghai track is new for everyone. The 2005 ZX-RR is clearly a step forward compared to the ’04 model I tested last November and being part of the new China event is an unexpected, but timely opportunity for me.” Harald Eckl: Team Manager “The Chinese GP is a very important stage in the global expansion of MotoGP, it is a significant opportunity for everyone in the sport, especially the major manufacturers. The Shanghai race is a new market and it is exciting to be part of this adventure. But it will be a big challenge, a new track with no previous test data for our riders and engineers. It is a pity that Alex Hofmann cannot be with the team for this race although we have a very capable replacement in Olivier Jacque, who like everyone else will have to learn the track from the beginning of practice. Based on recent races and test sessions I’m sure both Shinya and Olivier are going to be competitive in Shanghai.”