Actually, this week I spent 3 days (Tuesday to Thursday), conducting tests at Autopolis with Kawasaki R&D staff!
We are already moving ahead towards next year.
Such forward thinking is fantastic, and this testing gives us a great opportunity to communicate the actual situation in Europe.
All of the staff listened intently to all the feedback given and were motivated to build a top quality machine. There was a really buzz around the place.
Having said that, there is still one race left to go this season and we will soon be heading off to Portugal.
It may sound really busy but this is just proof of how fulfilling this is!
I'll be out there once more to ride my best race of the season!!
I'll give it all I've got!

Thanks to all the support I've had, I'm now back in good shape.
Thanks to everyone who has sent messages of encouragement and support.
Now I'm back in Japan, I've been able to catch up with friends I hardly get the chance to see. I've been out drinking with 175Ｒ's lead vocalist Shogo and other crew. I've also been out playing golf with Nagano-kun from V6.
Everyone is busy giving their all in their chosen field and it's inspiring to be around such friends. Thanks for being a great source of motivation.
But even though I am back in Japan, both times I've gone out Tamayan (fellow rider Tamada) has been with me. EVEN HERE in JAPAN!!
I think we spend way too much time together.
Maybe this is just all in my head as well.

I was able to score some points at the penultimate race at Magny Cours and I am feeling more and more comfortable with racing. The day after the race I drove my campervan back to my apartment in Milano (Italy) and then caught a flight to Japan the very next day; and that's where I am now!
But fatigue must have been building up as soon as I arrived back in Japan I came down with a fever for the first time in quite a while. (@_@) I didn't want to make a big deal of it but headed off to see the doctor who told me "At your age, long flights can take their toll, so don't overdo it".
Ok, I'll try to take it easy. ………….. But what's "at your age" all about?!
Today, my fever has gone down and I'm feeling a lot better. The doctor is right I suppose, it certainly takes a bit longer to recover these days. But hey it's not about my age. No way. I'm just imagining things. That's all in my head!
With the change of seasons it's always important to look after our health. Time to get off for another annual influenza shot! But it feels like not so long ago that I had my last one. One year just passes by so quickly.
I am thinking like this because I'm getting older?
No. It's all in my head！

Since the end of the last race at Vallelunga, Tamayan (SBK rider – Tamada) has set up camp at my place as he decided not to rent a place this year. (-.-) Why me?
But actually, it has been good having him here to talk about future developments at Kawasaki and go jogging together.
Today, Tamayan and I took a trip in my campervan to Tommy's house (fellow motorcycle rider - Nakatomi) on the Swiss border of France as it is on the way to our next race at MagnyCours.
Tommy's wife, Aki, has been looking after me as I'm the only one touring Europe alone. She has been doing our washing and making me onigiri (rice balls). Even when we are at the circuit, we all gather around Tommy's campervan and it has now become known by the name "Café Aki". Aki is always ready with a cup of coffee for us, and has really transformed in to a typical housewife. (^-^)v. Earlier in the day, Yukio (Kagayama) and his family joined us, and we all headed up to Monte Bianco (the Italian name; usually known as Mt.Blanc) and we took a trip up on the ropeway! To experience such grand nature was awe inspiring and the air was so fresh!
That's all for now as I continue to enjoy a refreshing break!

I drove to Rome in my campervan from Milano (Monday), left the van there, and flew to Czechoslovakia for a sponsor's promotional event before coming back to Rome on Wednesday night. And before you know it the final here at Vallelunga (Italy) is over. Wow, that was a tough week!
In my mind I was thinking "Now there are only 3 races left so I want to make some progress with this bike." But again at this race I started from 17th and finished 18th in the final. Another crushing defeat!! It's really disappointing for me not to have any good news to report but I am accepting of the results given that they are the consequence of my very best efforts.
A race can't be won by any one person. Of course everyone wants to win and is trying their best to do so including the R&D staff in Japan, the team staff in Europe and each one of us riders! The results, whatever they may be, are the fruit of all of that hard work put together so you just have to accept it. While I haven't had much positive news to report, conversely I can see what we need to do to improve. We'll be doing our best in the last 2 races so please keep up your support!
Now I'm off to Rome where I'll enjoy the local delicacies and power up for the next race.
Ciao! Ciao!