Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Shinya Nakano has signed to race the factory Kawasaki ZX-RR in the 2004 and 2005 MotoGP World Championships, according to reliable sources.

The Japanese rider will team with German Alex Hofmann on the Bridgestone-shod machines and is expected to make his debut at a multi-team test scheduled for Sepang, Malaysia starting on January 20.

Nakano, 26, won the All-Japan 250cc Championship in 1998, finished second in the 2000 250cc World Championship to Olivier Jacque and was named the 2001 MotoGP Rookie of the Year. Nakano finished the 2003 MotoGP Championship tied with Alex Barros for ninth in points, with best race finishes of fifth (at Mugello and Catalunya) on the d’Antin Yamaha YZR-M1.