MotoGP news

West looking forward to home race

MotoGP is heading to Phillip Island for round 16 on the 2007 MotoGP calendar. For Anthony West, this will be his home round. Hailing from Queensland's Gold Coast, the 26-year-old Australian has had a stormy relationship with the Phillip Island circuit in the past, seeing everything from the second step of the 250cc podium in 2003, to a horrendous, 267kmph, first corner crash in 2004. Furthermore, he made his grand prix racing debut when he rode in the 125cc world championship round there in 1998.

With the support of his home fans, and the unforgettable seventh place at Motegi fresh in his mind, which he gained despite stalling the bike and pitting twice, West will show no mercy in his determination to demonstrate his talent at Sunday's 27-lap race.

Phillip Island itself is a legendary circuit with a history going back to 1928. It boasts some spectacular ocean views as well as having hosted some of motorcycle racing's greatest battles. The 4.45km track slithers its way through numerous turns, rounded off by the super-quick, start/finish Gardner straight, named after erstwhile Australian world champion, Wayne Gardner, who won the first 500cc round to be held in his home country, at Phillip Island, back in 1989.

"I'm really looking forward to Phillip Island as it's my home race, even though I've had quite a mixture of luck there in the past," said Anthony West. "All my family and friends are coming to watch, and they haven't been able to get to a race for ages, so that'll be great. It should be an exciting round: the bike was working brilliantly at the last race in Japan so, if we continue progressing the way we have recently and I get a good qualifying lap in, we should do well."

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