Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Prepare for French Grand Prix Fight

Setup

After two successful tests, one in Jerez (Spain) and one in Mugello (Italy), the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team are ready to put on a show this weekend at the Le Mans - Circuit Bugatti in France.

Valentino Rossi is eager to start the fifth round of the championship as he's looking to set things right with the thousands of fans that visit the French MotoGP round each year. He was fighting for the win in last year's race when he crashed out of second place. This year he is keen on a do-over, so he can step onto the French rostrum and celebrate with the crowds.

Traditionally, the Doctor scores competitive results at the Grand Prix de France. Throughout his premier class career he has collected three victories at Le Mans (2002, 2005 and 2008), six second places (2003, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016) and three third places (2000, 2001 and 2011). He currently sits in sixth place in the championship standings, 10 points behind his teammate.

The Bugatti Grand Prix race circuit was built in 1965 and is situated just a few kilometres from the city of Le Mans. MotoGP made its first visit to the iconic French track in the late sixties and it remained a fixture until 1996. After some safety moderations, the 4.2km-long circuit was added back on the calendar in 2000. Its lay-out of five left and nine right corners places the emphasis on late braking, hard acceleration, and rear-end traction, and promises to make for a great spectacle on Sunday.

Valentino Rossi

Championship: 6th – Points: 40

"I'm happy we're going to France next, because on paper we should be fast in Le Mans - usually the Yamaha works well there. I think that at the moment the situation is difficult to predict, because our rivals are strong, so we'll see what our potential will be like. I expect to be a bit more competitive compared to the previous GP weekend, but I don't know where we stand compared to the other bikes yet, so that will be interesting to find out. For sure my guys and I will do our best, as always, to make it a good race weekend."

Massimo Meregalli

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP - Team Director

"Both riders and the team have had little to no rest since the Grand Prix of Spain, as we have completed two tests last week. The Le Mans circuit suits our bike and both our riders - Valentino has stood on the French podium many times - making it a good track for us to gain positive momentum after Jerez. So far, the weather forecast looks perfect, so we are looking forward to a competitive race weekend and having both our riders fighting at the front again, like they did last year."