Having taken the MotoGP World Championship lead for the first time in 2018 with dominant victories in Austin and Jerez, Marc Marquez now arrives at Le Mans - a circuit renowned for mixed weather and, in Marquez's case, mixed results.
Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna admits that contract negotiations with lead rider Andrea Dovizioso are 'not easy', but expects a decision on the Italian's future by their home round at Mugello on June 1-3.
Johann Zarco and the French-based Monster Yamaha Tech3 team will carry the hopes of the home fans during a 'special and emotional' Le Mans MotoGP. Zarco set Le Mans alight last year with his first front row and podium (pictured), in only his fourth MotoGP event.
Since MotoGP winter testing, Valentino Rossi has repeatedly emphasised the need for Yamaha to improve acceleration via the electronics. "All the Ducatis are better in acceleration, because they are more in front compared to us in the electronics," the Italian said in February.
Four rounds into the 2018 MotoGP season and the top Yamaha rider is second in the world championship, with two podiums and one pole position. But that rider isn't Valentino Rossi or factory Yamaha team-mate Maverick Vinales.
Aleix Espargaro's home Spanish MotoGP lasted just five corners before his Aprilia suffered a major technical problem for the third time in this season's four races.
It was a bittersweet post-race MotoGP test for Tito Rabat at Jerez, the Avintia Ducati rider improving both his qualifying and race pace, but knowing 'the test doesn't count' for points.
Cal Crutchlow finished Monday's official Jerez MotoGP test a close second fastest to Johann Zarco. But that was of no consolation given his fall in the race and the LCR Honda rider, on pole in Spain, is still seeking greater rear grip from the RC213V.
Dani Pedrosa defied the pain from his massive Sunday's highside to deliver 75 testing laps of the same Jerez circuit on Monday, the equivalent of three MotoGP race distances.
Having looked longingly across the KTM garage as test rider Mika Kallio gave the '2019 prototype' it's grand prix debut at Jerez, Pol Espargaro was all smiles after getting back on the machine during the Monday test.
Johann Zarco picked up where he left off in last year's Spanish MotoGP race, by again being the top Yamaha rider in Friday practice for the 2018 event.
Jorge Lorenzo spent his 31st birthday on track at Jerez, where the Ducati rider set the seventh fastest time in Friday practice for his home Spanish MotoGP.
KTM hasn't had much to celebrate on track in MotoGP so far this season, but Pol Espargaro gave the Austrian factory a shot in the arm by setting the third fastest time (+0.043s) in opening practice for the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.
With Johann Zarco ruled out of becoming Marc Marquez's 2019 team-mate by signing for KTM, the reigning four-time MotoGP champion was asked who he would like alongside him in the Repsol Honda garage next season.