From the sweltering heat and the torrential rain of Malaysia, the Kawasaki Racing Team have moved on to the cooler climes of Phillip Island, the location for this weekend's Australian Grand Prix. The Phillip Island circuit hosted it's first Motorcycle Grand Prix meeting in 1989, and the 4.445 km track still ranks as one of the most spectacular on the MotoGP calendar.
Scary fast corners, together with slow technical turns, have been combined with frequent elevation changes to produce a circuit that guarantees close and exciting racing, all played out against the picturesque backdrop of the Bass Strait.
Many of the MotoGP riders, including Kawasaki's Shinya Nakano and Randy de Puniet, rate this circuit as one of their favourites, and the warm welcome extended by Phillip Island residents to the MotoGP paddock each year guarantees that the Australian Grand Prix also remains a popular event for all the participating teams.
Shinya Nakano arrives in Phillip Island determined to make amends for his disappointing showing in last weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. The 28-year-old Japanese rider crashed out of the race on the opening lap, after colliding with his Kawasaki teammate, de Puniet, at turn nine.
Seventh in last year's Australian Grand Prix, Nakano is confident that, if he can find a working set-up this weekend, then the combination of the 2006 Ninja ZX-RR and the engine upgrade he received in Malaysia, will allow him to aim for a higher finishing position this time around, with top five a realistic possibility.
After a confidence-inspiring ride in Malaysia, where he missed out on a top ten finish only because of his off-track excursion on the opening lap, Randy de Puniet arrives in Phillip Island determined to record his best result so far in this, his rookie MotoGP season.
The 25-year-old Frenchman enjoys racing at Phillip Island, and cites turn one - with it's 320 km/h entry off the front straight - as one of the most exciting corners on any MotoGP circuit. While the first corner obviously holds no fears for de Puniet, the Kawasaki pilot has identified the back part of the circuit as the place where he needs to find some time this weekend, and it is on this section of the track that he will concentrate during practice and qualifying.
Shinya Nakano: #56"Malaysia didn't quite go according to plan, with me crashing out of the race on the first lap, but I've now put that behind me and I'm completely focussed on making amends this weekend in Australia. At Phillip Island it's critical that you find a set-up that gives good feedback from the front tyre. If you manage this during practice and qualifying, then racing at Phillip Island is really enjoyable. If you don't find the right set-up then this track can be a little bit scary, especially the ultra-fast turn one! We had a good winter test here, so we will start this weekend with a good base setting on the bike, and this should make finding a good race set-up a little easier. If this proves to be the case, then I'd hope to finish top five in Sunday's race."
Randy de Puniet: #17"While it was disappointing to finish only 13th in Malaysia, I think I rode a good race, and my confidence on the bike has increased considerably. I like the Phillip Island track, especially turn one, but always I had some problems around the back part of the track on the 250cc machine, and I hope that I can improve in this area on the MotoGP bike. I had a good winter test here, but this is a difficult track to master, and I need to spend some time this weekend working on my lines through some of the more difficult corners during practice and qualifying. I'm looking forward to Sunday's race, and I think it's possible for us to come away from here with a good result this weekend."
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