Jacque back to GPs

Frenchman Olivier Jacque has signed to race for the factory Kawasaki MotoGP team at the German and Valencia rounds.

Jacque has ridden for the squad already this season with a second place result in China, and an 11th place in France. He’ll ride a third Kawasaki ZX-RR alongside team-mates Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann.

In addition Jacque has signed to be the team’s official test rider, scheduled to complete 12 days of testing in 2005. His role will include working on the development of the prototype 2006 model ZX-RR.

“It’s very satisfying as I have not had a full-time job in MotoGP for 18 months. I like both the German and Valencia circuits, and I think the ZX-RR has a very high potential,” said Jacque. “It is an honour to be the rider who will begin testing of the 2006 prototype Kawasaki MotoGP bike.”

Kawasaki teachincal director Ichiro Yoda revealed that planning has started for 2006, with Jacque playing a pivotal role in testing alongside Hofmann and Nakano. The new bike will be “visibly different” from the current machine.