MotoGP news

West to the rescue at Kawasaki

Australian grand prix racer Anthony West stepped in to help out the injury-depleted Kawasaki team, for his first experience on a MotoGP machine and on Bridgestone tyres. The unexpected one-day test left the 250 GP winner wanting more of the same.

West, 25, a GP winner in the 250 class, had been struggling for results on a non-factory 250 during 2007, but scored a race win and a close third in two attempts while moonlighting for Yamaha in the 600 Supersport World Championship.

Kawasaki's MotoGP team, riding a wave of improving performance and results, had plenty to test after a landmark front-row start and fifth place in the Catalunyan GP, including the latest tyre developments from Bridgestone.

But both their riders were injured - Olivier Jacque not even starting the race, and Randy de Puniet hero of the day, taking a career-best result with a bad knee injury. Test rider Naoki Matsudo is also recuperating.

West was happy to take up the offer, and completed a hard day reeling off the laps for the team, working his way steadily up to a respectable lap time while gathering valuable data.

"I was expecting a wild thing - but it wasn't as difficult as I thought," he said. "Though it just about rips your arms off down the straight."

West found the combination of 800cc power and Bridgestone tyres gave a good balance. "You can use all the power from the bottom to the top. It's really predictable when it's sliding. That made it easier than riding a 250," he said.

more news

• 07 Nov.
  • Rossi struggles at Valencia
  • Lorenzo enjoys 16th front row of the season
  • Stoner confident at Valencia
  • Unbeatable Stoner grabs pole position at Valencia
  • Photos: Saturday in Valencia
  • Stoner also fastest in second practice Valencia
• 06 Nov.
  • Gusts affecting bike performance, says Pedrosa
  • Photos: Friday in Valencia
  • Rossi: Quite a lot of work to do
  • Lorenzo searching for home victory
  • Stoner leads Friday practice in Valencia
• 05 Nov.
  • Suppo to leave Ducati
  • Valencia extends contract to 2016
• 04 Nov.
  • Spies reveals special Valencia livery
• 03 Nov.
  • Canepa to miss season final in Valencia
  • Rossi: Now we can enjoy ourselves
  • Pedrosa determined to finish on a high
• 27 Oct.
  • Ducati test rider to become Team Manager
• 25 Oct.
  • Lorenzo faced difficult race at Sepang
  • Photos: Sunday at Sepang
  • Title a great achievement says Rossi
  • Rossi claims 2009 championship as Stoner wins the race
• 24 Oct.
  • Photos: Saturday at Sepang
  • Stoner disappointed with fourth place
  • Motivated Pedrosa aims for race win at Sepang
  • Lorenzo unhappy with lack of pace
  • Rossi surprised with pole position record
  • Rossi dominates in qualifying with pole position record
  • Pedrosa leads second practice at Sepang
• 23 Oct.
  • Rossi: The race will be very hard
  • Lap times not worrying, says Pedrosa
  • Stoner in good shape at Sepang
  • Lorenzo in pain after Australia shunt
  • Photos: Friday at Sepang
  • Lorenzo leads opening Sepang practice
• 22 Oct.
  • Canepa to miss Malaysian Grand Prix
• 21 Oct.
  • Elías targeting 4-place rise
  • Pedrosa hoping to secure Sepang victory
  • Rossi hoping for more 'gold dust'
• 20 Oct.
  • Dovizioso: Sepang is my favourite track

Homepage