ROUND 16 - GRAND PRIX OF TURKEY, ISTANBUL PARK
23 OCTOBER 2005 - MOTOGP RACE RESULT

NO DELIGHT FOR KAWASAKI TEAM IN TURKISH GRAND PRIX

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."

MOTOGP RACE RESULT

 1. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP  41'44.139
 2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team    +1.513
 3. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda                +6.873
 4. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP     +12.420
 5. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team       +26.963
 6. Toni Elias (SPA) Fortuna Yamaha Team          +29.105
 7. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team     +29.255
 8. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda      +33.345
 9. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda                 +33.790
10. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team      +44.225
11. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Camel Honda             +46.099
12. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda                 +50.184
13. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing Team     +56.766