The Le Mans circuit in France has been synonymous with success for the Movistar Honda team in recent seasons. In 2003, Sete Gibernau and Dani Pedrosa contributed to a full house of Spanish victories in the three classes, an unprecedented achievement since the World Championship adopted its current format.

Last year Sete went from pole position to his second consecutive victory there in MotoGP ahead of Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi, whilst Dani swept all before him with pole, victory and a new lap record in 250cc. This season both riders are confident of again demonstrating their potential in their neighbouring country and recovering from inconsistent starts to the season. Marco Melandri also has his eyes set on victory after moving into second position in the MotoGP World Chamionship standings, whilst Hiroshi Aoyama’s confidence is sky high on the back of his first podium of the season in China.

Like his compatriot Àlex Crivillé before him, Pedrosa is currently the king of Le Mans. The double World Champion has taken three consecutive podiums at the French circuit, including two successive wins. Last year’s was one of his most dominant ever, with a 7.8 second advantage over Randy De Puniet and 20 seconds clear of Toni Eías. Dani is determined that in Le Mans he will be back where he belongs.

Sete is also hopeful of reaping the fruit of his hard work, which has so far not been compensated with race results. His fortunes have been the opposite of those of his team-mate Marco Melandri, who is using the Honda to demonstrate his enormous ability and has propelled himself to second place in the championship after three rounds.

It promises to be a long weekend in France. The team will stay behind for a day of testing at Le Mans on Monday ahead of a two-week break before the next round of the season on the 5^th June at Mugello.

RIDER QUOTES

Sete Gibernau:

“We’ve not had much luck during the start of the championship but I am still absolutely convinced of our potential and I know the results will arrive. I hope that it’s this weekend in France, at a circuit where we enjoyed a great race last year. We can’t let any more opportunities escape us and we have to stay motivated because the championship is long and I’m sure we’ll be back at the top soon.” 

Marco Melandri:

“I’m delighted with the start we’ve had to the season. Only a few months ago I couldn’t have imagine that we would be second in the championship so soon. Now I know that I have the ability to do well at this level, to stick it out with the fastest riders in the category and victory is no longer an unattainable target for me. I want to win a race now and I know I can do it. Every day I feel better with the bike, it gives me the confidence to go fast and find my limits. With the help of the team, I want to continue to take steps forward. My best memory of Le Mans is from 2003, when I started from the front row of the grid in my first season in MotoGP.”

Dani Pedrosa:

“I’ve always had good results at Le Mans and I think it’s the circuit to get us back where we belong. It’s not a case of whether or not I like it, but for preparing well for the race and we’ve always been well prepared for France. We have information from last season that will be a good base for us to start from. As far as the set-up is concerned, the most important thing is to get the gear settings right because it is a track with a lot of hard accelerating, stiff braking and fast corners. I want to enjoy myself by riding fast again and I hope the weather is stable enough to allow us to work well all weekend.” 

Hiroshi Aoyama:

“We scored an important podium in China and I’m optimistic about this race. I know that this is a Grand Prix we can do well in. Last season, in my first year in the World Championship, I finished fourth in the race and I hope I’m able to improve on that result. What I need is to be a bit more consistent in the practice sessions and get a good position on the grid. 

THE VENUE
FRENCH GP

Circuit: Le Mans
Grand Prix: Grand Prix Alice de France
Inauguration: 1974
Latest modification: 2002
Length: 4,180m
Width: 13m
Right corners: 9
Left corners: 4
Main straight: 450m

	Rider	Category	Classification
1996	Sete Gibernau	250cc	Paul Ricard
1997	Sete Gibernau	500cc	Paul Ricard
1998	Sete Gibernau	500cc	Paul Ricard
	Marco Melandri	125cc	Paul Ricard
1999	Sete Gibernau	500cc	Paul Ricard
	Marco Melandri	125cc	Paul Ricard
2000	Sete Gibernau	500cc	15th
	Marco Melandri	250cc	4th
2001	Sete Gibernau	500cc	9th
	Marco Melandri	250cc	3rd
	Dani Pedrosa	125cc	-
2002	Sete Gibernau	MotoGP	12th
	Marco Melandri	250cc	2nd
	Dani Pedrosa	125cc	3rd
2003	Sete Gibernau	MotoGP	1st
	Marco Melandri	MotoGP	15th
	Dani Pedrosa	125cc	1st
2004	Sete Gibernau	MotoGP	1st
	Marco Melandri	MotoGP	6th
	Dani Pedrosa	250cc	1st
	Hiroshi Aoyama	250cc	4th

THE CIRCUIT ACCORDING TO:

SETE GIBERNAU:
Le Mans: two straight wins
This was one of my bogey circuits up until 2003 because over the last two seasons I have actually won twice, in the wet and in the dry. The new track surface has improved it a lot. The corner at the end of the straight is the fastest turn in the championship – very exciting!

MARCO MELANDRI:
Le Mans: good changes
Le Mans was always characterised by the hard braking zones, but ever since they modified the first chicane it’s been much more fun to ride there. Personally, I am particularly fond of the last two chicanes. It’s not a very demanding track and there are plenty of places to overtake. This is another place where you have to be good in the middle of the corner and on the exit. It’s a good atmosphere but the fans aren’t as passionate here as they are in Italy or Spain.

DANI PEDROSA:
Le Mans: plenty of throttle
Le Mans has a lot of hard acceleration and hard braking, as well as a very fast corner at the end of the straight. Good acceleration on the corner exits is fundamental for a good lap. Gear change settings also have to be very precise here.

HIROSHI AOYAMA
Le Mans: top marks
I’m looking forward to going back there. I finished fourth last season and it was a circuit where I felt comfortable from the start. It’s got good grip, the track surface is good and there are a lot of places to overtake. It’s a difficult track but I feel comfortable there.

2005 SEASON SO FAR FOR THE MOVISTAR RIDERS

	SETE GIBERNAU	MARCO MELANDRI	DANI PEDROSA	HIROSHI AOYAMA
JEREZ	Race: 2nd Standings: 2nd	Race :3º Standings: 3º	Race: 1º Standings: 1º	Race: caída Standings:  -
ESTORIL	Race: crashed Standings: 5th	Race:4º Standings: 3º	Race:4º Standings:  1º	Race: 6º Standings: 10º
SHANGHAI	Race: 4th Standings: 5th	Race: 3º Standings:  2º	Race:6º Standings:  3º	Race: 3º Standings: 6º

LAP RECORDS:

MOTOGP
Circuit record: 1’34”088 Max Biaggi (Honda 2004)
Pole 2004: 1’33”425 Sete Gibernau (Honda)
Podium 2004:  1.Sete Gibernau (Honda), 2. Carlos Checa (Yamaha), 3. Max Biaggi (Honda)

250 CC.
Circuit record: 1’38”202 Dani Pedrosa (Honda 2004)
Pole 2004: 1’37”123 Dani Pedrosa (Honda)
Podium 2004: 1. Dani Pedrosa (Honda), 2. Randy De Puniet (Aprilia), 3. Toni Elías (Honda) 

125 CC.
Circuit record: 1’42”536 Héctor Barberá (Aprilia 2004)
Pole 2004: 1’42”608 Andrea Dovizioso (Honda)
Podium 2004: 1. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda), 2. Roberto Locatelli (Aprilia), 3. Jorge Lorenzo (Derbi)

SUNDAY TIMETABLE
11.00h. 125cc race (24 laps, 106.320km)
12.15h. 250cc race (26 laps, 115.180km)
14.00h. MotoGP (28 laps, 124.040km)