MotoGP 2005

Super-smooth Shinya Nakano finished in a superb sixth position in today's German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring.

Nakano was in top form in the crash-delayed race, which was stopped after six laps and then restarted over the reduced distance of 25 laps.

Riding his Ninja ZX-RR fitted with the latest dual-compound Bridgestone tyres, Nakano made a fast start and challenged the top group throughout the race.

Nakano was the first Bridgestone rider to finish the race and consolidated his ninth place in the World Championship standings with 65 points.

The race was a bitter disappointment for Kawasaki team riders, Alex Hofmann and Olivier Jacque, who collided at the first corner at the first start.

Both had qualified at a similar pace to Nakano and there was an expectation that Kawasaki's three riders would all challenge for top ten positions. Both Hofmann and Jacque had differing versions of the turn one crash.

Six laps after the turn one pile-up the German GP was stopped when American rider John Hopkins was stranded on the track after a huge highside crash. The red flag came out and a full restart was ordered.

With minor adjustments to his Ninja ZX-RR settings Nakano set-off on his stirring ride that saw him finish well ahead of a squadron of factory rivals from Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and Suzuki.

At the finish Nakano was just 4.5s seconds behind race winner Valentino Rossi, having closed the gap to Alex Barros (fifth) and Max Biaggi (fourth) to just over one second in the final laps.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Sixth
"That was an exciting race for me, it makes such a big difference when you see the top group and can race close to them. In the second race I was able to do fast and consistent times and overtake Capirossi and chase the front group. The tyre performance from Bridgestone was very good today in these conditions and I was very comfortable at this pace. Towards the end I had a couple of front end slides so I just made sure I finished. Kawasaki and Bridgestone are back challenging the front group, which is exactly where we should be."

Alex Hofmann: #66 - DNF
"It's very frustrating to be out of a 30-lap race after just 250 metres, especially my home Grand Prix, and it is not a good situation for the Kawasaki team. I made a good start and going into turn one Shakey Byrne was way too late on the brakes and I knew he would crash, so I opened some room for him. Then I flicked into the corner, it was open and clear, and then my rear end was gone when OJ hit me. I haven't got eyes in the back of my head. Shakey being late on the brakes is not the reason we crashed. I had a chance today to show what I could do, it's very disappointing."

Olivier Jacque: #19 - DNF
"I'm sorry for Alex, I know how bad he must feel about this incident at his home race. In turn one Shakey Byrne came from behind, very hard on the brakes and crashed in front of Alex who just had to wait a moment to flick into the corner. I was behind and on the inside a little and able to turn into the corner, and then Alex had some room and turned in and we just touched, it was an unfortunate incident. It's very disappointing for me, I need to race and do laps and get more experience on the Kawasaki."

Ichiro Yoda: Technical Manager
"A very good race by Shinya. From today we saw that the current tyre direction from Bridgestone is very good for the Ninja ZX-RR. Bridgestone brought special tyres here for the ZX-RR to match a request from Shinya and he delivered a great result. It is a great pity that Alex and OJ crashed, both could have finished in good positions this weekend."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"I'm smiling and crying at the same time. Shinya rode a fantastic race, he was fast and consistent, so thanks to the excellent effort from Bridgestone this weekend. I can understand that the situation with Alex and OJ crashing at the first corner is a huge disappointment for Alex with many home fans at this race. Alex was matching Shinya's pace in practice and had the same tyres and set-up for the race, I'm confident he could have finished in the top ten also."

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