Kawasaki pair unable to get a grip in Shanghai
Sunday, 04 May 2008
Traction problems hit `Team Green´ riders Hopkins and West in their quest for Sunday improvement.
Despite having started the Pramac Grand Prix of China satisfied with their race setup and tyres, a lack of rear grip scuppered Kawasaki riders John Hopkins and Anthony West´s attempts at breaking into the top ten. Hopkins also suffered a nasty knee injury in a collision with Alex de Angelis.
John Hopkins – 14th
`We went out in the wet warm-up session this morning with high hopes of a good result in the rain or dry today. By the time we got to the race, the circuit had started to dry out and we had to make a decision on tyre choice, which maybe wasn´t the best. I struggled right from the start with rear traction problems, and I pushed hard to make my way through the field. I made a few mistakes and ran off the track in places, it was a really tough race. I´m very disappointed as it's not the result I wanted for my hundredth Grand Prix, but we must stay focussed and try to make amends at the next round.´
Anthony West – 17th
`I was looking for a better result than this today. The conditions were not ideal as the track was quite slippery after being wet this morning and it gradually dried out during the race. I followed John for a few laps and I think we were both experiencing similar problems with a lack of rear grip. I ran off the track in places because I just couldn´t make the bike stick. I´m frustrated, as we need to make headway with these issues we´ve been having, but I´m determined for us to make a step forward very soon.´
