With MotoGP’s Grand Prix de France taking place at Le Mans this weekend we thought it was time to run the rule over the riders gunning for vital championship points...
Dani Pedrosa (Spain) – Honda
Sunday will mark Pedrosa’s 150th Grand Prix start across all classes, as the Spaniard – who made his debut as 15-year-old back in 2001 – becomes the youngest ever rider to reach the mark. After a disappointing start to the season in Qatar, Pedrosa got his challenge back on track in Spain. Starting on pole, the 24-year-old finished second behind Jorge Lorenzo and he now sits third in the overall standings. Pedrosa enjoys racing at Le Mans, having started three of his four MotoGP races here on pole, and finishing third last year.
Repsol Media Service/Red Bull Photofiles
Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) – Honda
Dovizioso began the season on the podium, thanks to a third-place finish in Qatar and will be looking to get back there this Sunday. The Italian could only manage sixth in Jerez, and slipped a place behind team-mate Pedrosa in the overall world standings. However, after some encouraging testing, he is confident he’ll be back to his best in France. Fourth place last year, to go with five podiums from the 125cc and 250cc classes, indicate he has the ability to do well on this track.
Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) – Yamaha
Lorenzo arrives in France on a high after winning the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez last time out. That result, coupled with second in Qatar, has put the Spaniard four points ahead of team-mate Valentino Rossi in the race for the MotoGP crown. Lorenzo won an eventful race in the rain last year at Le Mans, and will be hoping for a similar result this year to cement his title challenge.
Valentino Rossi (Italy) – Yamaha
The reigning world champion heads to France trailing team-mate Jorge Lorenzo by four points after his third-place finish in Spain. Not that many riders would complain about a win and a podium from their first two races. Like most tracks on the circuit, Rossi has an excellent record at Le Mans – including three premier class wins. However, he will want to forget last year’s race where he only finished 16th.
GEPA pictures
Mika Kallio (Finland) – Pramac
An encouraging display at Jerez three weeks ago has Kallio brimming with confidence as he heads to Le Mans. The Finnish rider battled his way from 17th on the grid up to seventh and he is now hoping to carry that form into the Grand Prix de France. During his 125cc days Kallio finished on the podium twice in France, who’s to say he can’t do it again on the big stage?
Casey Stoner (Australia) – Ducati
Stoner has endured a difficult start to the 2010 season, and currently sits 34 points behind championship leader Jorge Lorenzo. A fifth place finish in Jerez at least put some points on the board, but the former-world champion really needs a podium here to get his season going. Unfortunately for Stoner, his last podium at Le Mans came way back in 2007.
For the latest news ahead of the grand prix, head to motogp.com. Or discover the next generation of track stars with the Red Bull Rookies Cup.
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