ROUND 4 - GRAND PRIX ALICE DE FRANCE, LE MANS
13 MAY 2005 - FREE PRACTICE

SUPER SHINYA SIXTH FASTEST AT LE MANS

Kawasaki's Shinya Nakano mastered a day of changeable weather conditions to
finish sixth fastest after today's free practice sessions at Le Mans.

Nakano was easily in the top ten, both in the dry morning session and also in
the one hour afternoon session, which was hit by rain halfway through.

While Nakano was delighted with the confidence-boosting performance of his
latest specification Ninja ZX-RR his temporary teammate, Olivier Jacque, was
praying for rain.

Following his superb second place podium in a water-logged Chinese Grand Prix
two weeks ago, Jacque is now hoping for similar conditions for the remainder of
the weekend.

Jacque's wish is based on his lack of dry track testing since he was ushered
into the Kawasaki team to replace the injured Alex Hofmann. Even so, Jacque
sliced one second from his time in the morning session during the early dry laps
of afternoon free practice.

The 31-year-old Frenchman, who will attract massive local support for his home
race on Sunday, feels much more comfortable on a wet track.

No surprise after he splashed his way to the podium just behind Valentino Rossi
in China.

Both of today's sessions were conducted in cool and overcast conditions, with
the constant threat of rain. The rain arrived 30 minutes into the afternoon
session and is forecast to continue over the weekend.

At the stop-go Bugatti circuit at Le Mans the factory Ninja ZX-RR machines
continue to benefit from a new drive-by-wire throttle and injection system.
Introduced for the Chinese race, the system includes revised electronics, plus
throttle bodies, fuel injectors and injector pumps.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Sixth - (1'35.067)

"It was a strange day with the weather, but I'm very positive about our dry
track performance, especially in the morning session. The latest engine parts
have improved acceleration and throttle response, which are critical on this
track. The Ninja ZX-RR is now much improved over the bike I raced here one year
ago. My main work tomorrow will be on throttle connection and front-end turn-in
for all the slow corners at Le Mans. And I'm more comfortable in the wet here
than I was in China."

Olivier Jacque: #19 - Fifteenth - (1'36.451)

"I need more testing on a dry track, so I can more fully understand the bike and
the set-up, that is clear after today. I am more comfortable in the wet, so now
I'm hoping for rain over the weekend. In the wet the rider can make a big
difference; in the dry the riders' influence is important, but less than in the
rain. My lap time is improving every time I go out, but with a four-stroke
MotoGP bike engine braking, throttle and suspension settings are critical for
maximum dry track performance. It's my home race, but I'm focussed and not
feeling any pressure."

Ichiro Yoda: Technical Director

"In the dry Shinya's position appears very good, and we still have some further
adjustments to make to the new injection system for tomorrow. Olivier is more
comfortable in the wet, so we are looking at the data from his bike to adjust
the engine braking and throttle settings to improve his dry track performance.
My main concern is the uncertain weather conditions, especially if it is
half-dry and half-wet. Just as in China, it appears we have very good wet tyre
options from Bridgestone for this race."

FREE PRACTICE - COMBINED TIMES

 1. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda              1'35.041
 2. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP    +0.119
 3. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda                +0.447
 4. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team    +0.530
 5. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team  +0.896
 6. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team     +0.896
 7. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP   +0.954
 8. John Hopkins (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP        +0.956
 9. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team      +1.035
10. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda              +1.188
11. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team   +1.263
12. Kenny Roberts (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP       +1.311
15. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team    +2.280