For the third grand prix in succession James Toseland sails into uncharted waters as he seeks to erase the China blues at the Alice Grand Prix of France at Le Mans on Sunday.
The 27 year old Yorkshireman makes his debut at the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans as he has at the previous two grands prix venues in Shanghai and Estoril.
The Tech 3 Yamaha rider embarks on just his fifth MotoGP race sharing fifth place in the Championship with former 125 and 250 cc World Champion and multi grand prix winner Loris Capirossi.
Toseland was disappointed with his 12th place at the previous round in China but is confident that his aggressive riding style will suit the 2.597 mile circuit. Also he wants to win for his French-based Tech 3 team.
The talented British 125 cc trio of Bradley Smith, Danny Webb and Scott Redding had a weekend in China they will all want to forget. They all crashed out in separate incidents in the difficult conditions and will be looking forward to getting back to points scoring in the 24 lap race on Sunday.
Last year Bradley Smith secured his one and only grand prix podium finish when he was third in the race won by Sergio Gadea. The 17 year old Polaris World Aprilia rider has started three of this year’s four grands prix from pole position and needs to transfer fantastic qualifying performance to the races where he has just one third place to show for his considerable efforts.
Another 17 year old, Kent-based Danny Webb has twice scored points in those opening four encounters on the DeGraff Aprilia. He made his Le Mans debut last year and had a tough weekend and he returns determined to get back on track. He is the best placed of the British trio in the Championship in 11th place.
Once again 15 year old Gloucestershire – based Scott Redding steps in to the unknown to ride at a track he’s never seen before. It’s a fact that does not seem to faze the Blusens Aprilia rider who despite non finishes in Portugal and China has made a very impressive start to his grand prix career.
Ulsterman Eugene Laverty arrives at Le Mans just a couple of weeks after securing his best ever 250 cc grand prix result in China. He was battling with the likes of World Champions Alvaro Bautista and Roberto Locatelli to finally finish 13th on the Blusens Aprilia. He likes Le Mans and hopes to continue what he started in Shanghai.
James Toseland:“Although I’ve never been to Le Mans I think it will suit my aggressive riding style. We were disappointed after that 12th place in China and have given it a lot of thought and know what the problems were. It was a long lap to learn and get the bike set –up but we have put all that behind us. My team-mate Colin Edwards has done well there on the Yamaha which is a good reference point.”
Danny Webb:“I’ve got to be more consistent and aim to start this at Le mans. China was so disappointing for all of us and we will all be aiming to finish on Sunday. I made my debut there last year and didn’t do very well but things are very different this season. I’ll be looking for a good result.”
Scott Redding:“The race in China was my first grand prix in the wet and so I learnt a lot. I’ve never been to Le Mans but it’s shorter than Shanghai and should be easier to learn. Let’s hope the rain stays away.”
Eugene Laverty:“I was pleased with our performance but disappointed only to finish 13th in China. We are getting better every race and I will be looking to continue at Le Mans. I liked the circuit when I made my debut last year on the Honda and I think it should be even better with the Aprilia.”
Bradley Smith:“I scored my one and only podium finish when I was third at Le Mans last year. It was the highlight of my career so far and to return and win my first grand prix would put us right back on track. You must never doubt your ability or lose your sense of humour when the going gets tough.”
Preview - Le Mans Up For A Fiver Could the stop and start Bugatti circuit at Le Mans provide the fifth MotoGP winner in the five opening grands prix of the season on Sunday? You would put your money on one of the big four Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner on securing their second win of the season at the Alice Grand Prix of France but the 2.597 mile circuit plus the uncertain weather can provide surprises.
Last year Australian Chris Vermeulen took full advantage of the conditions to secure his first grand prix victory riding brilliantly on the Rizla Suzuki. The year before Italian Marco Melandri won for Honda while the likes of Loris Capirossi, Andrea Dovizioso and Tony Elias have won smaller class races at the legendary circuit.
However, they come head to head in the 28 lap race with the four grands prix winners and top four in the Championship on Sunday who possess equally impressive records on French soil.
Championship leader Dani Pedrosa has won both 125 and 250cc races at Le Mans on route to World titles. He returns on the Repsol Honda with a seven point lead in the Championship over his great rival Jorge Lorenzo who is fighting to be one hundred per cent fit after his big practice crash in China. Lorenzo, who won the 250cc race at Le Mans last year despite injuring both ankles Lorenzo celebrated his 21 st birthday in China with a brave fourth place to keep him right in contention in his battle with Pedrosa.
Both the Spanish riders will be keeping a wary eye on 29 year old Italian Valentino Rossi who secured his first win of the season riding the Fiat Yamaha. The seven times World Champion has won twice at Le Mans and trails Pedrosa by just nine points.
The only rider in that top four not to win at Le Mans is World Champion, Australian Casey Stoner. He was third last year on the Marlboro Ducati and would really benefit from a win on Sunday to close that 25 points gap held by Pedrosa.
It’s an important race on Sunday, starting a sequence of five grands prix in just six weeks of hectic action and a possible 125 World Championship points. Americans Colin Edwards, who started from pole of the Tech 3 Yamaha in China, and former World Champion Nicky Hayden are losing touch with the leading group and really need to start some serious points scoring.
The Kawasaki duo of John Hopkins and Anthony West really struggled in China while the French pair of Sylvain Guintoli and Randy De Puniet will be looking to kick start their disappointing start to the season with some points scoring riders in front of the large vocal partisan French crowd.
The 250cc race has a similar scenario to MotoGP with the likes of former Le Mans winners Yuki Takahashi, Thomas Luthi and Sergio Gadea looking to upset the riders who are leading the way this year. Two wins on the KTM has given Finnish rider Mika Kallio an impressive 21 point lead over the Polaris World Aprilia of Mattia Pasini with Hector Barbara a further 12 points adrift.
Despite crashing out in China, Italian Simone Corsi still leads the 125 World Championship after wins at Jerez and Estoril riding the Jack and Jones WRB Aprilia. Spanish veteran Joan Olive and Corsi's team-mate Nicolas Terol share second pace nine points adrift. Eighteen year old Italian Andrea Iannone will be out to prove his impressive win in China was no flash in the pan.
Event Time Schedule:
Friday 16th May 09.00 – 09.45: 125cc Practice
10.00 – 11.00: MotoGP Practice
11.15 – 12.15: 250cc Practice
13.10 – 13.40: 125cc Qualifying 1
13.55 – 14.55: MotoGP Practice
15.10 – 15.55: 250cc Qualifying 1
Saturday 17th May09.00 – 09.45: 125cc Practice
10.00 – 11.00: MotoGP Practice
11.15 – 12.15: 250cc Practice
13.10 – 13.40: 125cc Qualifying 2
13.55 – 14.55: MotoGP Qualifying
15.10 – 15.55: 250cc Qualifying 2
Sunday 18th May08.40 – 09.00: 125cc Warm Up
09.10 – 09.30: 250cc Warm Up
09.40 – 10.05: MotoGP Warm Up
11.00: 125cc RACE (19 laps)
12.15: 250cc RACE (21 laps)
14.00: MotoGP RACE (22 laps)
(GMT +2) Time schedule in local time
Television Times Practice, qualifying and the races will be shown at the following times on British television.
Saturday May 17th BBC i and BBC Sport Website MotoGP qualifying 12.50 – 14.05
Sunday May 18th BBC I and BBC Sport Website 125/250 cc races 09.45 – 12.15
BBC Two and BBC Sort Website MotoGP race 12.30 -14.00
BBC Two and BBC Sport Website MotoGP Extra 14.00 – 14.15
EUROSPORT
Friday May 16th
Free Practice 09.00
Free Practice and Qualifying 12.55
Saturday May 17th Free Practice 09.00
Free Practice and Qualifying 12.55
Sunday May 18th Warm-up and 125,250 and MotoGP races 08.40
