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Kawasaki Resume Testing in MotoGP

Kawasaki may have second thoughts about their immediate withdrawal from the MotoGP class. Only one day after Dorna's boss Carmelo Ezpeleta threatened to take the Japanese manufacturer to court if they don't appear of the 2009 grid, the two test drivers concluded their first private test of the Ninja ZX-RR in Australia.

Test riders Olivier Jacque and Tamaki Serizawa tried on the new ZX-RR bike on the Eastern Creek venue and they liked what they saw. The Frenchman noticed the improvements in the bike's development throughout the winter and revealed that further tests are yet to come in order to evaluate its potential. If that's the case, it's quite clear that we will be seeing much of Kawasaki in 2009, either through its works team or a private owner.

“I only had a quick first run but the first impression with the bike is quite positive. Overall it seems lighter and more agile, so the work done over the winter has definitely been positive. Now we have to rack up some miles to have a better idea of the bike's potential,” said Jacque after his first test session of the year.

Kawasaki are yet to unveil their plans for the new season, as the team are expected to give their comments on Expeleta's court threatening earlier this week. The Spaniard insisted that the Japanese manufacturer had signed a deal with the MotoGP promoter for the forthcoming 3 years and that Dorna will hold them to the contract should they decide to withdraw in 2009.

On the other hand, the Dorna boss promissed Kawasaki that he will allow them to step out of the MotoGP in 2010, releasing them from the 2 remaining years of contract with the Queen class.

Jorge Martinez also expressed his interest in purchasing Kawasaki's operations inside the MotoGP, revealing that he is seeking a 2-bike deal for the upcoming season.
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