MotoReview

Randy de Puniet Q&A 

Randy de Puniet has been involved with motorcycles since he was old enough to walk. At three-years-of-age the young Frenchman first threw his leg over a motorcycle, with his race debut coming just three years later at the tender age of six years.

After winning back-to-back titles in the French National 125cc Championship in 1997 and 1998, de Puniet made his Grand Prix debut as a wild card entry at the 1998 Grand Prix.

His performance in his first World Championship race was enough to secure the young Frenchman a full time ride in the championship the following year.

In 2001 de Puniet moved up to the quarter-litre class aboard a customer specification Aprilia 250cc machine. Two podiums on a non-factory bike the following season were enough to convince Aprilia to give Randy a factory bike for 2003, and he repaid them with his debut Grand Prix win in that season's Catalunya Grand Prix.

Having secured 5 wins, 22 podiums and 9 pole positions during his time in the 250cc World Championship, de Puniet was signed by Kawasaki at the end of the 2005 season to step up to the MotoGP class, where he'll ride a Ninja ZX-RR alongside Shinya Nakano in 2006.

The 24-year-old Frenchman has repaid Kawasaki's confidence in his ability by adapting quickly to the 990cc, inline four-cylinder Ninja ZX-RR during winter testing, and is keen to prove himself worthy of a position on the MotoGP grid when the 2006 season gets underway at Jerez on 26th March.

Q: This will be your rookie season in MotoGP, but what does stepping up to the world's premier motorcycle racing series mean to you as a rider?

A: For me it is a big step up to MotoGP, because this is the best class, with the top riders and the fastest bikes. It's what every racer aims for. It's a fantastic opportunity for me; to be riding a factory Kawasaki against the best riders in the world, and I hope that I can repay the faith that the team have shown in me this year.

Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached by Kawasaki about the possibility of a MotoGP ride?

A: I couldn't believe it; It was like a dream come true for me. I was in the middle of a difficult season in the 250cc World Championship, so to suddenly find myself with an offer of a factory MotoGP bike for 2006 was incredible.