Shinya Nakano
Lap eighteen begins with Edwards closing in on a now fading Hopkins. At the back, Melandri is still battling with the trio of West, Hoffmann and Checa. Makoto Tamada, riding the Dunlop Yamaha, is also under pressure from the Konica Minolta Honda of Shinya Nakano. At the front meanwhile, Rossi is still trying at the Geert Timmer Bocht, but to no avail.