Buoyed by
Anthony West's best-ever MotoGP result, the Kawasaki team heads into its rivals' backyard hoping to pull another strong performance out of the bag at this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix.
West and team-mate
John Hopkins also head for Misano in confident mood after improvements to the Ninja ZX-RR led to a strong showing by
both riders last time out at Brno, while further work in the post-race test continued to build on the momentum.
Although not one of his favourite circuits, Misano has proved to be a happy hunting ground for West in the past, the Australian securing victory in the first World Supersport race at the revamped circuit in 2007, before joining the Kawasaki Racing Team and returning to take a hard-fought eighth place finish in last year's MotoGP round. Now, after a career-best finish with fifth place in the Czech Republic Grand Prix, the 27-year old - whose place remains the subject of speculation for 2009 - returns to Misano determined to finish top ten once again.
"I am looking forward to going to Misano following my best ever result in
MotoGP, especially as we managed to make further improvements to the bike [in the post-race test at Brno] which has certainly made it easier to ride," West commented, "I hope that we can continue with our development this weekend because I am determined for us to be fighting for more strong results in the dry.
"I have spent the last few days in Italy, where I've been out cycling, so I feel relaxed and ready to take on the challenge. There's a good atmosphere at this circuit, but after last year's washout on the opening practice day, the weather could play a really big part in proceedings."
