But the rider who arrives in Le Mans with the biggest smile is American
John Hopkins. Hopper secured his first
MotoGP podium finish with a brilliant third place on the Rizla Suzuki in China to just emphasise the form he’s been in this season. Despite crashing out at
Jerez, Hopkins is fifth in the championship only two points behind Melandri and now he has broken his duck is very capable of plenty more podium finishes. The Anglo-American was also fighting at the front of the 2006 race before falling. Hopkins' team-mate
Chris Vermeulen has also ridden well this year, overcoming incidents in both races and qualifying, but needs to stay on two wheels to confirm his potential.
Melandri’s team-mate
Toni Elias spoilt his brilliant second in Turkey by crashing at the first bend in China. The Spaniard is a 250cc winner at Le Mans and needs to settle down and score points on Sunday to improve on his sixth place in the championship, just four points behind Hopkins.
Elias’s accident in China also pushed world champion
Nicky Hayden off the track, adding to the American's 2007 misery. The Repsol rider fought his way back to twelfth and is now just ninth in the championship behind
Colin Edwards and
Loris Capirossi, respective team-mates of Rossi and Stoner, and his best result at Le Mans is a fifth last year.
Kawasaki had hoped to field two French stars this weekend, but Olivier Jacque's recent arm injury means he has been temporarily replaced by WSBK rider Fonsi Nieto. French hopes will thus be carried by OJ's team-mate
Randy de Puniet and Dunlop Tech 3 Yamaha rookie
Sylvain Guintoli.
In the 250cc class,
Jorge Lorenzo celebrated his 20th birthday in China by winning his third grand prix of the season. The Spaniard, riding the Fortuna Aprilia, has opened up a 27-point lead as he defends his world championship crown on the way to what seems like a certain MotoGP ride in 2008.
