Reigning world champion
Valentino Rossi is struggling, as problems with his Camel Yamaha continue to halt his attempts to defend that title. In China, the Italian rode from 13th to fifth and looked set for a certain podium finish when a chunk of rubber from his front tyre caused his retirement. Rossi and team-mate
Colin Edwards are looking forward to receiving some new chassis parts in France to help solve the chattering problem that has characterised their season.
Despite the problems, American Edwards rode to a brilliant third place in China to lift him to eighth place in the title chase, five behind team-mate Rossi and two behind Spaniard
Toni Elias.
Another American in top form in China was
John Hopkins, who produced his best ever
MotoGP result, a fourth place on the Rizla Suzuki after challenging Edwards for the lead in the early stages. Team-mate
Chris Vermeulen crashed out in China, but started the previous race in Turkey on pole. He makes his first visit to the 2.589-mile Le Mans Bugatti circuit this weekend.
Frenchman
Randy de Puniet also makes his French MotoGP debut, riding the Kawasaki after point-scoring rides in the last two races. Last year, he set both pole and 250cc lap records at the circuit. Team-mate
Shinya Nakano has scored at every round meanwhile, but wants to start pushing nearer to the podium.
Former 125cc world champion Andre Dovizioso increased his lead in the 250cc standings to 13 points over Spaniard Hector Barbara, who won his first 250cc grand prix in China. His Fortuna Aprilia team-mate,
Jorge Lorenzo, dominated the opening two rounds, but slipped to third after finishing fourth behind the impressive Hiroshi Aoyama riding the KTM. Dovizioso has finished on the podium at the opening four rounds, but will be seeking his first-ever 250cc win to repeat his 125 win at Le Mans two years ago.
Another Spanish rider, Alvaro Bautista, won the opening two rounds of the 125cc championship and two podium finishes since then on the Master-MVA Aspar Aprilia have given him a healthy 28-point lead in the championship.
