Kawasaki returns to greatest race.

Last year's inaugural Chinese Grand Prix proved particularly memorable for the Kawasaki Racing Team - replacement rider Olivier Jacque finishing an astonishing second in the rain lashed race, giving team green their best ever MotoGP finish.

Test rider Jacque will not race for Kawasaki this weekend, in the 2006 edition of the event, but both Shinya Nakano and Randy de Puniet arrive in Shanghai hopeful of emulating the Frenchman's performance in Sunday's 22-lap race.

While Jacque began his charge to the front one year ago, Nakano was left frustrated after being forced to retire just two laps into the race, due to an electrical problem. After finishing 7th, 11th and 8th in the opening trio of 2006 encounters, Nakano has his sights set firmly on a top six finish this weekend.

"This is something of a special circuit because of the long straight and the long, fast right-hand turn that leads onto it," said Shinya of Shanghai. "The strange thing about the straight is that it feels really slow when you ride it, because it's so long and there are very few reference points.

"It's also hard to identify a braking marker at the end of the straight for the tight, first gear hairpin. This makes things difficult, because the entry to this corner is one of the best overtaking points on the track, but if you brake even fractionally too late then you can't turn in and you're forced to run on. It certainly makes things interesting.

"I enjoyed the circuit in the dry last year, but I still need to get a few more laps under my belt to find the best racing line. Last year I retired from this race with an electrical problem, but I think the high-speed corners with fast changes of direction will suit the Kawasaki, so this year I am definitely aiming for a top six finish," he confirmed.

Rookie team-mate de Puniet has already proven his speed in the wet this season, and is confident of a strong result should rain - as rumoured - again affect the race, but the Frenchman is determined to improve upon his 12th position at Istanbul regardless of the prevailing conditions on Sunday.

"Shanghai is not one of my favourite circuits, as I think it is more suited to car racing than motorcycle racing," declared Randy, echoing the comments of many riders. "Having said that, there are a few interesting sections on the track, like the long first corner. Last year I raced here on the 250cc machine, and the circuit will look very different from the seat of a MotoGP bike I'm sure.

"But it normally doesn't take me long to learn a circuit, so I hope we can get up to speed quite quickly during practice. It will be interesting to see what the weather is like on Sunday, because I know we can secure a good result if it is a wet race. If it stays dry then I will be pushing as hard as I can to improve upon my result in the last race in Istanbul. I am looking forward to the weekend ahead," he added.