ROUND 10 - ALICE MOTORRAD GRAND PRIX DEUTSCHLAND
31 JULY 2005 - MOTOGP RACE

SUPER SHINYA SUPERB SIXTH AT SACHSENRING

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."

MOTOGP RACE RESULT

 1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team  35'04.434
 2. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP       +0.685
 3. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda                 +0.885
 4. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda                   +2.365
 5. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda                   +2.855
 6. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team        +4.557
 7. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP     +12.269
 8. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team      +14.849
 9. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team     +23.489
10. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda       +27.829
DNF.Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team
DNF.Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team