Rossi's new Bridgestone relationship yielded its first
MotoGP victory last time out in Shanghai, but Michelin's 2008 resurgence means it holds first and second in the world championship standings heading into round five of the series.
Honda's
Dani Pedrosa is on top the world by seven points over Rossi's rookie Fiat Yamaha team-mate
Jorge Lorenzo, with Rossi a further two points back and reigning world champion
Casey Stoner fourth for Ducati.
All four have taken a win each this season, making MotoGP 2008 is about as open as it could get, but the true title contenders are likely to be much clearer by the time the summer break begins on July 21 - by which time 175 of the remaining 350 points will have been allocated.
Rossi has scored five podium finishes in the premier-class at Le Mans, with Michelin, including two victories - although last year's wet weather event saw the Italian finish just sixth, as Bridgestone claimed a memorable 1-2-3.
"Last year Le Mans was incredibly disappointing for us - we were hoping for a good result in the dry but the rain came and things didn't go as planned," admitted Rossi. "This year however we're going there on a real high after the fantastic result in China and I am confident that we can have a good weekend.
"China was a very important boost for everyone and a great result for all the hard work that everyone has put in so far this season to get us to this point, and now we have to make the most of this moment and keep pushing like this. Yamaha usually goes very well at Le Mans and, although it's obviously the first time we've been there with
Bridgestone, I am confident that we will be strong there.
"We are nine points from the top of the championship but our rivals are very motivated too so there is no let-up and we must go for the maximum points again. This is the start of the busiest phase of the championship and it's always hard work but also great fun. Let's hope we can get this run of races off to the best possible start in France!" he concluded.
