Nakano versus Melandri, Xaus.

Fuchs Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano comes to the Valencia Grand Prix aiming to overhaul rivals Marco Melandri and Ruben Xaus - to secure a top ten place in the final 2004 MotoGP World Championship standings.

In his first season aboard the Ninja ZX-RR, Nakano has already scored a total of six top ten finishes - including a third at the Japanese Grand Prix - and without the setback of a 300 kph accident at Mugello, triggered by a rear tyre failure, and a mechanical retirement while in third at Qatar, Nakano would already be secure in the top ten of the points standings.

But instead, Shinya sits 12th, but just 1-point behind Yamaha rider Melandri and 3 adrift of d'Antin Ducati rookie Xaus - both of whom he intends to overhaul this weekend.

"My target is the top ten in the championship, so I'm looking forward to that challenge against Marco and Ruben, who are close to me in the points," he confirmed. "I've always liked the Valencia track, even when I was racing in the 250cc class. It is very technical with 14 turns and only one straight, so hopefully that will suit the ZX-RR chassis, which is our strong point.

"Since Qatar the latest engine electronics package has improved throttle feeling and power delivery, which is also critical at this track. It is my first time here on the ZX-RR, so I expect to have a lot of set-up work to do in practice and qualifying," added the 27-year-old, who won the 2000 250cc Valencia GP.

But while Nakano is focussed on his pre-season target, team-mate Alex Hofmann is also set to complete his first full season of factory MotoGP racing on a strong note.

The 24-year-old German rookie is 15th in the standings, ahead of Suzuki factory rivals John Hopkins and Kenny Roberts Jr. and the Aprilia pairing of Jeremy McWilliams and Shane Byrne.

"I first rode the new ZX-RR on Bridgestone tyres here one year ago, so it will be interesting to be back at Valencia," said Hofmann. "The bike and tyre package has made many positive steps forward over the past year, so this will be an opportunity to measure our progress.

"The stadium-style layout with the constant flow of corners should work in favour of the ZX-RR chassis and I'm aiming to finish the season with a strong result in the points. I've finished top ten in two of the past four races and another result like that in Valencia would be the perfect end to the season," added the German, whose place in the 2005 Kawasaki line-up is believed to be under pressure from the likes of Troy Bayliss.

As Hofmann mentioned, Valencia will mark the first anniversary of the public track debut of the second evolution of the ZX-RR using Bridgestone tyres, which first appeared in last November's post-Valencia GP test session.

"It is one year since we unveiled the current evolution model of the Ninja ZX-RR in testing at Valencia, and I'm sure our performance this weekend will reflect the progress we have made with the bike," stated team manager Harald Eckl. "We started the season aiming for a top ten finish and this weekend with Shinya that remains our goal.

"At recent races Alex has shown he has the speed to finish in the top ten and, as usual, we will be working towards the best possible team result with both riders. Overall I'm happy with our development program this year, but already we are well advanced with planning for 2005 - there is still a lot to do, and I don't see any lessening in the intensity of the competition in MotoGP," he warned.

After the race, Kawasaki will stay on at Valencia on Monday for a MotoGP media ride day and an afternoon test session with Bridgestone.