Grand prix veteran Capirossi has impressed the Rizla Suzuki team with his never-give-up attitude, but - like team-mate Vermeulen - is desperate to get the 2008 GSV-R into the podium fight.
Americans
Colin Edwards, who started from pole of the Tech 3 Yamaha in China, and 2006 world champion
Nicky Hayden are currently seventh and eighth in the standings, but losing touch with the leading group. With Sunday's race marking the start of five grands prix in just six weeks, Le Mans would be the perfect place to start a fight back.
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 strong rides in front of the large partisan home crowd - having each led in the wet one year ago.
The 250cc World Championship 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.
18 year old Italian Andrea Iannone will be out to prove his impressive win in China was no flash in the pan.
