MotoGP 2005

A maximum racing effort by Kawasaki riders Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann delivered World Championship points, but little in the way of satisfaction, in today's Czech Grand Prix at Brno.

Nakano finished in twelfth place with a strong surge at the finish, making up three positions over the final three laps.

Hofmann finished fifteenth and was exhausted after a stirring performance in the 22-lap race, watched by 78,000 spectators in warm, humid and overcast conditions.

This race was never going to be an easy assignment for the Kawasaki riders, with the Brno circuit traditionally not friendly territory for the Ninja ZX-RR.

After making a stunning start from fourteenth on the grid, Hofmann carved his way to tenth place on lap one, passing the Hondas of Max Biaggi and Troy Bayliss in the process.

After holding Biaggi at bay for three laps Hofmann could only watch as the Italian pulled away to eventually finish third and on the podium.

The German young gun was consigned to a race long battle against the Suzukis of John Hopkins and Kenny Roberts, Bayliss and Nakano. After holding 12th place for 12 superb laps, Hofmann eventually finished in a brave fifteenth place.

Nakano finished the race strongly after a poor start and being trapped in early traffic. He conceded six seconds in the opening two laps and dropped to sixteenth before a determined charge over the final laps.

The Kawasaki team will stay on at Brno on Monday and Tuesday to test new engine parts in advance of the next race, the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Twelfth - "My start was not good and I got trapped with some of the Honda riders, there was no room to overtake or push any faster; I lost a lot of time. After five laps I found a very good pace, some 1'59s laps, and I was able to pass Bayliss and battle in the group with the Suzukis and Alex. I tried to push and escape from this group but it was not possible, although I really wanted to finish ahead of Kenny Roberts. But I struggled with rear drive traction off the turns; this was a very hard race, it seems our bike does like Brno very much."

Alex Hofmann: #66 - Fifteenth - "That was my best ever first lap and I was right in amongst all the action and I was even able to stay ahead of Biaggi. Then for a long time I was behind the Suzukis and I really thought I had a chance of beating them and keeping Bayliss behind me. But over the final laps I struggled with rear grip and there was nothing I could do, not even go one tenth faster, when the others attacked, especially on the straights. Perhaps the other riders in the group did not go 100% at the beginning of the race."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager - "This was the result I expected today. We could see from Loris Capirossi's second place the Bridgestone tyres were competitive at Brno. The main thing now is that we are looking forward to the test here tomorrow, when we will have a new engine specification to evaluate. The opening three laps by Alex were brilliant, he took every opportunity to overtake other riders. Unfortunately Shinya's start was not good, and when you lose time it is difficult to make up."

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