From a press release issued by Camel Honda Racing Information:

Camel Honda ready for this season’s third challenge at the historic Bugatti circuit


The next event on the busy MotoGP calendar, which has already seen the Camel Honda team as central figures in an extraordinary season opening, will take place at one of the circuits which has played a huge role in the history of motorsport on both two- and four-wheels. The Le Mans circuit held its first race in 1923, and since then has undergone numerous modifications until the original street circuit was transformed into a permanent complex, with improved safety measures, but still keeping some of the charms that distinguished it from other places. Max Biaggi is extremely motivated and confident before the third challenge of this season’s World Championship, the same spirit which has already seen him as the leading light in the two races up until now. His team-mate Makoto Tamada meanwhile, is keen to make up for the misfortune he suffered in Jerez, where he was forced to retire after having shone during qualifying.


Max Biaggi #3: (Michelin Tyres)

“The Le Mans track is always good to me, so I am more than happy to be going there now. I hope that Honda, my mechanics and I can get the right set-up for my RC211V so I can go well at a track which I think is quite pleasant. We still haven’t resolved the problem with the chattering but we know that the Le Mans track is usually less grippy than in Jerez. When thinking about the set-up we’ll be trying to find a good compromise between the stability under braking, because there are some of the hardest decelerating points in the championship, and the handling, because you don’t want to lose any of the agility in the turns. It won’t be easy, but I’m utterly convinced that the Honda will be perfectly able to find the right combination. I can’t wait to get out on track because I’m feeling very motivated.”


Makoto Tamada #6: (Bridgestone Tyres)

“I happy to be going to Le Mans now for various reasons. In Jerez, although the race didn’t go as we wanted, during qualifying I was quick and if it hadn’t have rained I could have kept this going on Sunday. Then also because I think that we did some valuable work in the two test days after the race last week. Finally, the third reason is that I like the Le Mans track because it is a medium-fast circuit and I like third and fourth gear turns, I’m at my best there. Additionally, last year after the race, we stayed to test and I remember that we got some good results both with the bike and with the tyres. On the whole, all the factors are there for it to go well for us. Also, we’ll use the newer chassis parts that we got set-up in Jerez, when I was reasonably impressed.”


Le Mans Circuit


Podium 2003
1. S. Gibernau (Honda)
2. V. Rossi (Honda)
3. A. Barros (Yamaha)

Pole Position
V. Rossi ( Honda – 2003)
1:35.208

Lap Record
V. Rossi (Honda – 2002)
1:36.846

Nº of laps
28 ( km 117,04)

Timetable MotoGP:
14:00 (GMT + 1)
An hour ahead of London


Characteristics
Length: 4,180 m
Width: 13 m
Right turns: 9
Left turns: 4
Year of construction: 1923
Modifications: several, latest in 2001