Misano MotoGP: Kawasaki confirm Anthony West for 2008

As was exclusively revealed earlier this week by MCN, Kawasaki has today confirmed that Australian Anthony West will partner John Hopkins in the 2008 MotoGP world championship.

West’s impressive performances as Olivier Jacque’s replacement earlier this season have secured him a full-time ZX-RR next season, beating off competition from former factory Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano.

The Japanese rider had emerged as a late contender to partner Hopkins with his future in the Konica Minolta Honda squad in serious doubt.

But West has got the ride after current team-mate Randy de Puniet quit Kawasaki last week to pen a two-year deal with Lucio Cecchinello’s LCR Honda squad.

A decision was expected next Tuesday after this weekend’s Misano MotoGP clash, but as MCN anticipated, the decision was brought forward to take the pressure of West.

“I feel great about how things have worked out, “said West. “As you can imagine, it’s a huge weight off my shoulders. This is definitely something I’ve been stressing about: whether I can stay in MotoGP and, if so, for which team. But this really is the best opportunity for me, to stay with Kawasaki, as I’m really happy here. It’s such a good team and a great bike with all the support from the factory. Now, I’ve got one thing less to worry about so I can just concentrate on riding. It will be cool to be in a team with John Hopkins, too, as I know him pretty well and we get along together.

“He’s riding really well at the moment, so hopefully I can push him next year! This is such a massive difference to where I was earlier this year in 250s. I didn’t even think I was going to be racing again and now I’m in one of the best teams in the paddock and staying another year, so it’s a big turn around. I’m just so glad I kept trying and stuck at it. With the chances that Kawasaki are giving me, it’s really paid off, and I am looking forward to repaying their faith in me with some good results
aboard the Ninja ZX-RR, both this year and next.”