
The Kawasaki Racing Team confirmed their full rider line-up for the 2008 season today at Misano, with the announcement that 26-year-old Anthony West has been signed on a one-year deal to ride alongside Kawasaki's other recent signing, John Hopkins, next year.
West was drafted into the Kawasaki Racing Team back in June as a replacement for Olivier Jacque, who moved across to head up Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-RR development programme as the official factory test rider. Since his arrival in MotoGP, West has impressed with how quickly he has adapted to racing in the premier series, as well as his consistent results during what has been a period of intense adjustment for the Australian.
West commented on the extension of his contract: "I feel great about how things have worked out. As you can imagine, it's a huge weight off my shoulders. This is definitely something I've been stressing about: whether I can stay in MotoGP and, if so, for which team. But this really is the best opportunity for me, to stay with Kawasaki, as I'm really happy here. It's such a good team and a great bike with all the support from the factory. Now, I've got one thing less to worry about so I can just concentrate on riding.
"It will be cool to be in a team with John Hopkins, too, as I know him pretty well and we get along together. He's riding really well at the moment, so hopefully I can push him next year! This is such a massive difference to where I was earlier this year in 250s. I didn't even think I was going to be racing again and now I'm in one of the best teams in the paddock and staying another year, so it's a big turn around. I'm just so glad I kept trying and stuck at it."
| Anthony West news | |
|---|---|
| 23 Oct. '08 | West hopes to return to MotoGP one day |
| 18 Oct. '08 | West fastest in final practice |
| 12 Sep. '08 | West finishes wet first day on top |
| 12 Sep. '08 | West sets early pace in wet |
| 08 Mar. '08 | West fine after Friday's crash |
| 22 Jan. '08 | West unhurt after crash |
| More Anthony West news, Photos | |
| Kawasaki Racing Team news | |
| 25 Mar. | Hopkins to race in WSB Valencia round |
| 26 Feb. | Kawasaki to start 2009 season with Melandri |
| 09 Jan. | Official: Kawasaki pulls out of MotoGP |
| 31 Dec. '08 | Hopkins waiting for Kawasaki's future |
| 16 Dec. '08 | Provisional 2009 entry list released |
| 08 Dec. '08 | Successful surgery for Hopkins |
| More Kawasaki Racing Team news, Photos | |