MotoGP 2005

Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Olivier Jacque, finished 10th and 13th respectively in today's inaugural Turkish Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park circuit.

The outcome was disappointing for both riders and team, following a promising start to the weekend when the combination of Ninja ZX-RR bikes and Bridgestone tyres appeared to adapt quickly to the impressive 14-turn, 5.34 km circuit.

Both Nakano and Jacque struggled with rear grip and race distance endurance over the 22-lap distance and were frustrated not to be able to engage rivals in close-quarter racing.

Nakano made a strong start from the fourth row and stayed ahead of Honda riders Chris Vermeulen and Makoto Tamada to be ninth on lap six.

But by lap ten Nakano's lap times began to fade as he battled reduced edge grip, especially in the long, right hand corners.

Jacque faced similar problems and rode with great determination, even changing his riding style to assist in maintaining lap times over the final laps.

Jacque, starting 13th, settled in 12th place ahead of factory Honda rider Max Biaggi and Suzuki's John Hopkins and ran ahead of this pair for 14 laps.

But the hard-riding Frenchman could not respond when Biaggi went ahead over the final stages of the race.

In the end, both Nakano and Jacque concentrated on scoring world championship points over the latter stages, to maintain Kawasaki's fourth position in the world constructors' championship points.

The race was run in sunny and mild weather, with the new Istanbul Park circuit meeting wide approval from riders and teams for its layout and facilities.

The next race, the Valencia Grand Prix, will be the final event of the MotoGP World Championship.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Tenth
"The first couple of laps were okay when I could fight with Vermeulen and Tamada-san, but after that it was difficult and a lonely ride to the finish. From lap ten it was not possible to maintain my lap times, the rear tyre was spinning-up and it was difficult to hold concentration without anyone to race. In a 17-race season there are going to be days like this, and now we have to work even harder to improve for the future, both the bike and tyres."

Olivier Jacque: #19 - Thirteenth
"Apart from the opening laps it was a boring race, and once Biaggi came past me I could not respond. The main problem was a lack of edge grip, especially in the long, right hand corners with a lot of lean angle; it was not easy to control the rear traction. In the final stages I changed my riding style and this helped me to at least finish in the points. The front tyre was good today and this saved me a few times when I was sliding."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"I am not happy with this result. I expected more today after our performances in Friday practice on a track that appeared to suit the Ninja ZX-RR. What we must do now is study the reasons for this result and work very hard in the coming months to come back with a better package for the 2006 season when the competition will be even tougher, and good results even more difficult."

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