Jacque aims to bounce back

The Kawasaki rider finished second in the rain-hit 2005 race in Shanghai, and he is hoping to enjoy a similar dose of good fortune this weekend to bounce back from what has been a difficult start to the campaign.

"I guess it's fair to say that the season hasn't started how I was hoping," said Jacque. "The first race was a fairly positive start, but the second in Jerez was a nightmare. And then, after seeing the improvement in the bike during practice and qualifying in Istanbul, I was really optimistic for the race.

"What can I say? I screwed up by crashing on the opening lap. It was the first time in my career that this has happened to me.

"On the Monday I was both physically and psychologically devastated, but my bruises are healing and I need to think only about this weekend's race in Shanghai now. I am confident that a top ten finish is possible this weekend.

"I like this circuit, and I have fond memories of my second place here in the wet when I stood in for Alex Hofmann on the Ninja ZX-RR back in 2005.

"I think it will be difficult to repeat this result this time around, but that won't stop me from trying."

Teammate Randy de Puniet took the best finish of his career in Istanbul with his eighth placed finish, and he is looking for a similar result this time out.

"Scoring my best MotoGP result last time out in Istanbul, together with a very positive post race test, means that I arrive in Shanghai really excited about the race," he said.

"I'm fairly confident we can aim for the second row in qualifying and, with a good start, a top ten finish in the race is a realistic possibility."