ROUND 17 - GRAND PRIX BETANDWIN.COM DE LA COMUNITAT VALENCIANA
06 NOVEMBER 2005 - MOTOGP RACE RESULT

TENTH IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR BATTLE WEARY NAKANO

The 2005 MotoGP season came to an exhausting close in front of 125,000 fans
today, with both Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, finishing in
the points in the Valencia Grand Prix.

Nakano's eleventh place finish in the race confirmed his tenth place in the
championship standings, while Hofmann was an impressive 14th in his comeback
ride from injury.

Both Nakano and Hofmann rode with debilitating injuries and were physically and
mentally drained at the end of the 30-lap race.

Nakano raced after a pain-killing injection in his bruised and swollen left
hand, while Hofmann ignored the discomfort and lack of strength in his left foot.

Today was Hofmann's final race appearance with the Kawasaki team and he raced
bravely, just seven weeks after having two plates and 16 screws inserted in
multiple ankle and foot fractures.

Both Nakano and Hofmann were lucky to survive turn one during a frantic start to
today's race.

A cautious Hofmann found the rider-less Ducati of Roby Rolfo in front of him
after the Italian rider had banged into the rear of Nakano's Ninja ZX-RR and
crashed.

Nakano lost four places and Hofmann three, in this opening lap skirmish.

On the difficult-to-pass Valencia track, and less than 100% fit, both riders
settled into a race plan to finish in the points.

Nakano chased and passed John Hopkins for tenth position on lap eight but could
not close the gap on Makoto Tamada. Over the final five laps Nakano knew his
physical condition made him vulnerable and he had to concede tenth position to
Toni Elias just two laps from the end.

By mid-race Hofmann had settled into 13th place behind Hopkins, Elias and Nakano
and was matching their race pace. Wisely, Hofmann did not want to chance the
high-risk passing moves required to make forward progress and was just happy
that he had enough strength to finish the gruelling race.

Nakano's hand injury will keep him out of this week's Valencia test, and he will
return to Japan for further examination and treatment.

Shinya Nakano: #56 - Eleventh

"The final five laps were very difficult with my hand and it was not easy to
concentrate. I knew Toni (Elias) was behind me and that if he challenged me it
would be impossible to hold him back, so l let him go past - I knew I needed the
points in the championship. When Rolfo hit me in turn one at the start I was
lucky not to crash, but then I had a good race with Hopkins, although I could
not catch Tamada-san. For sure tenth is not the position that either I, nor
Kawasaki, wanted in the championship, but everyone is already working very hard
for next season. I want to thank everyone in my team and I know we can do much
better in 2006."

Alex Hofmann: #66- Fourteenth

"That was the maximum my body would allow me to do today. Over the final ten
laps my leg was folding and I knew that trying to overtake would be a big risk,
plus my concentration was fading. And in my final race for Kawasaki I wanted to
finish in the points. To be honest, I don't know how I made it through turn one,
I was lucky not to hit Rolfo's Ducati. When I was behind Hopkins we could match
Shinya's pace, but it was impossible to find a way past. I want say a big thanks
to all the boys in my crew for their support, it has been great working with
them. I'll be back."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager

"Finally, a tough, and sometimes unlucky season is over. It was a difficult
weekend for both our riders and the injuries to Shinya and Alex mirrored what
happened earlier in the season. They both did a great job today, but now it's
time to look forward. We must aim for better results next season, and already
both Kawasaki and Bridgestone are working towards that goal. My thanks to both
riders and everyone in the team for their dedication this season."

MOTOGP RACE RESULT

 1. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP  46'58.152
 2. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda                +0.097
 3. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team    +2.959
 4. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team       +18.718
 5. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda                 +20.706
 6. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda                 +21.254
 7. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team    +23.142
 8. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team     +25.678
 9. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda      +36.710
10. Toni Elias (SPA) Fortuna Yamaha Team          +39.116
11. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team      +41.136
12. Ryuichi Kiyonari (JPN) Camel Honda            +45.691
14. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team       +49.856

2005 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:

 1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team  367
 2. Marco Melandri (ITA) Movistar Honda MotoGP   220
 3. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda              206
 4. Colin Edwards (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team    179
 5. Max Biaggi (ITA) Repsol Honda                173
 6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team   157
 7. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Movistar Honda MotoGP    150
 8. Alex Barros (BRA) Camel Honda                147
 9. Carlos Checa (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team      138
 10. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team     98
 19. Alex Hofmann (GER) Kawasaki Racing Team      91