MotoGP – Motegi QP1 – Nakano convinced of his speed

In his home race at Motegi Shinya Nakano took the second row on his Ninja ZX-RR. The Japanese Kawasaki rider, a coveted piece on the market (everyone wants him, from Kawasaki itself which would like to reconfirm him, to Honda and Yamaha) stopped the clock on a time of 1'46.291, a time which immediately put him in the behind the three Italians Loris Capirossi, Valentino Rossi and Marco Melandri. Nakano, like his teammate De Puniet, also immediately fitted a long-term tire given the uncertain weather that had characterized the start of qualifying.

“This afternoon's session must have been very exciting for the spectators, because it was for me too! At the start of the session, given the uncertain weather, we fitted a long-term tire and I immediately managed to take the lead. When qualifying got underway I pushed hard but I wasn't able to reach the front row. Starting from the second row here in Motegi is not a big disadvantage even if it is always critical. Tomorrow I have to make a good start and I will have to try to stay with the leaders. If the conditions change, we will make some changes in the warm up but I am sure we will still be competitive.”