MotoGP 2005 - Round 1

Shinya Nakano opened the season with an impressive qualifying performance aboard the 2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR, claiming fifth on the grid for tomorrow's Spanish Grand Prix with his final flying lap.

Nakano was the fastest qualifier on Bridgestone tyres for the opening round of the 17-race MotoGP World Championship, to be held at the 4.4 km Jerez circuit in southern Spain.

Joining Nakano in the top ten was his German teammate, Alex Hofmann, with a time just 0.3s slower than Nakano, posted during a difficult session in which riders were battered by strong winds and dust.

With 15 minutes remaining of the one-hour session both Ninja ZX-RR riders were in the top five. With a superb last lap run on the latest Bridgestone qualifying tyre Nakano secured fifth position as the chequered flag waved.

Meanwhile Hofmann was frustrated by traffic on his final lap and, while disappointed to drop to tenth, the 24-year-old German is in a buoyant mood for the race. Hofmann has concentrated on race set-up in free practice and claims to have a fast and consistent package for the 27-lap race.

Today's qualifying results were a reward for the fast-tracked development of Kawasaki's new big-bang engine, which only made its public debut just over two months ago.

Since those initial tests in Malaysia the engineering team, led by Technical Director Ichiro Yoda, have worked tirelessly to make the 990cc, in-line four-cylinder motor competitive at the opening race of the season.

Overnight adjustments to the engine braking system provided more stability for both Nakano and Hofmann on corner entry. Hofmann sliced one second from his best Friday free practice time while Nakano was 0.9s quicker.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - 5th - 1'40.542 - "Again Bridgestone provided us with a very good qualifying tyre and this is a satisfying result for me and the team. But the race is more important, and I'm happy to be starting on the second row. For sure Valentino and Sete will be very strong, but I plan to follow them from the start and race for a good position. The wind was very difficult today, especially at the end of the back straight, but the ZX-RR felt more stable after further adjustment to the engine braking system."

Alex Hofmann: #66 - 10th - 1'40.812 - "I was in the top five and my plan was to stay there, but it didn't work out. I know I could have done better. I came across traffic on my final fast lap, so with this new single hour qualifying system perhaps you need some luck. But I'm ready for the race and I intend to make it happen in the first two laps; maybe surprise a few people because I have a fast, consistent race pace. It was very windy and dusty today and it reminded me a little of my days riding motocross with dust in my helmet."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager - "Today was an excellent result for the first qualifying session of the season, and the race debut of our new big-bang motor. Kawasaki in Japan have done a great job considering the short time frame with the decision to develop the new motor. Today Shinya was the fastest qualifier on Bridgestone tyres, and one position ahead of his qualifying position for the first race last year, and this gives us a lot of motivation for the season ahead. Alex should have been closer in qualifying, but he will race very strongly, this is what he has been working towards."

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