Loris Capirossi and Alex Hofmann: Comeback for a great season’s final For the 17th and final round of the 2005 season, the MotoGP paddock not only gears up for a final showdown on the track, but also for one of Spain’s overwhelming fiestas. Like the season-opening race in Jerez, the final round in Valencia traditionally attracts massive crowds. One reason is the strong line-up of Spanish Grand Prix riders such as Ducati and Bridgestone’s Carlos Checa; the other reason is the unique stadium atmosphere of the circuit where the fans on the grandstands can overlook almost the entire track from wherever they are seated. With 4.005 metres in length, the track consists of a sequence of nine left- and five right hand corners that require a very precise and clean riding style. Agility and overall balance are crucial in terms of bike set-up, good handling and lots of edge grip are the basic requirements for the tyres. Unpredictable weather at this time of the year means another challenge, which Bridgestone has met with an unusually wide range of compounds and constructions. A total of approximately 1100 tyres were shipped to Spain, with 4-5 different front and 6-8 different rear specs to choose for each rider. The Ducati Marlboro Team is especially keen to go racing in Valencia, with local hero Carlos Checa set for another success after scoring two podium finishes in the last four races, and with their Italian star Loris Capirossi back in action after missing the races in Australia and Turkey due to chest injuries. The 32-year-old Italian, winner of the Grand Prix in Japan and Malaysia, got the thumbs up for the final race after an extensive medical check-up. Even though he hasn’t yet recovered all of his former strength, Capirossi can’t wait to get on the bike again. “It was tough to watch the Turkey GP on television. I want to race so bad that I would walk all the way to Valencia if I had to”, he said. Another long-awaited comeback takes place in the Kawasaki Racing Team. German Alex Hofmann, who suffered a multiple fracture to his left ankle in the Japanese Grand Prix, will be back alongside his Japanese team-mate Shinya Nakano for the final race of the season. “I have more screws in my ankle than the mechanics in their toolbox”; jokes Hofmann whose bones had been pinned with two platinum plates and 16 screws. “But I have trained harder than ever, between four and six hours a day, to overcome the injury, and I’ll try my best to finish the season on a high note.” Suzuki rider Kenny Roberts, who broke his left wrist in the first practice session at the Australian Grand Prix, will also miss the Valencia Grand Prix, and will be replaced by Nobuatsu Aoki, Suzuki and Bridgestone’s development rider. Hiroshi Yamada – Motorcycle Racing Manager Bridgestone Motorsport “We are excited to return to Europe for the last race of the season, as the generation of tyres we’ve been using in the overseas rounds will be put to its final test. We’re very happy to have Loris Capirossi back riding the Ducati, and Alex Hoffman riding the Kawasaki, as they have both demonstrated amazing courage to bounce back from their injuries. We are also excited to have Nobu Aoki on the Suzuki, who has always played an integral part in our tyre development program. Our tyres have been upgraded further with some late modifications for Valencia, and I’m confident that we will get some good results to finish this season on a high note!”