New Kawasaki starts testing

Kawasaki have begun testing their 2009 MotoGP machine at Eastern Creek, despite the factory team being withdrawn from the championship.

Test riders Olivier Jacque and Tamaki Serizawa gave the Ninja ZX-RR its debut at the former Australian Grand Prix venue in a private test yesterday.

"I only had a quick first run but the first impression with the bike is quite positive," Jacque was quoted as saying by the official MotoGP website.

"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."

Although Kawasaki will definitely not participate in the 2009 MotoGP season as a factory entrant, efforts to place the former factory bikes with a private team - possibly one formed from the former works squad personnel - are ongoing.

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta confirmed earlier this week that he would allow Kawasaki to disregard its commitment to MotoGP through 2011 provided the company helped to keep its bikes on the grid for 2009, and hinted that he would take legal action if the Japanese manufacturer did not comply.

Dorna working on private Kawasaki plan

Shields takes pride in long outings

Kawasaki set to run third bike in 2009

Zambrano Game 2’s central figure

Sox revitalized, stay alive at home