Hofmann strengthening MotoGP claim

Hofmann strengthening MotoGP claim

Alex Hofmann strengthened his claim for a MotoGP ride in 2004 after another outstanding wildcard display on the Kawasaki at Assen last weekend. The 23 year old German finished tenth in the rain-lashed race, equalling his best ever result in the premier class obtained at the Sachsenring last season when riding the Honda NSR500 vacated by the injured Loris Capirossi. Hofmann´s Dutch conquest was made all the more impressive when it emerged that he had switched to team-mate Andrew Pitt´s spare bike after a problem with the frame of his own machine in the warm-up.

`I was really happy for this result, especially as I had to switch to Andrew´s spare bike,´ said Hofmann, who charged from 17th to 10th place on lap six before holding his position to the finish. `I hadn´t raced with the new front Dunlop wet before, but I knew from Garry McCoy´s result at Le Mans that it was good and that´s how it turned out. The first couple of laps it was almost impossible to see because of the spray, but when the front guys pulled a gap the view got better and I just concentrated on not making mistakes.´

Hofmann has now finished ahead of both his team-mates in each of the last two races he has contested, only losing to Pitt by 0.2 seconds in his first appearance at Jerez, and is level on points with McCoy in the championship.