The MotoGP returns to Europe, to the historic track of Le Mans After going to China, the Championship returns to Europe, more precisely to France. Hosting the fourth round of the season is the historic circuit of Bugatti, made in 1965 around the already existing 24-hour track of Le Mans. The track hosted motorcycle GP’s from 1966 to 1995, and then underwent a reconstruction to then come back and host the 2000 French GP. The history of Le Mans is strongly connected with the world of racing cars, in fact, every year the Bugatti hosts the famous 24-hour race of Le Mans. MotoGP uses the permanent Bugatti circuit, which only shares the section from the front straight round to la Chapelle (where the cars go straight on out into the country) with the 24-hour track. The rest of the circuit is quite twisty, but that first corner is one of the fastest bend of the whole championship. The most impressive part of the track in fact is represented by the quick right hand corner at the end of the straight, followed by a chicane which imposes a strong direction change. To take on this part of the track you need cold blood and courage. The track surface was completely resurfaced last year, bettering the grip in an impressive manner. In the past, the grip used to be one of the worse aspects of this track making it a challenge for the Michelin Engineers. Michelin has triumphed in nine of the last ten premier-class GPs held at Le Mans, a track that can be defined the ‘home GP’ of the French tyre manufacturer. #15 SETE GIBERNAU – CALLED TO REPEAT HIMSELF After two consecutive victories on the Bugatti track, respectively in 2003 and 2004, the Vice World Champion, Sete Gibernau is called to repeat himself to put an end to a particularly difficult beginning of season which has not given Sete the satisfaction he deserves for all the good work he and the team have done both in practice sessions and races. Champion of the winter, Sete Gibernau was the absolute protagonist during the first three races of the championship even if he didn’t receive the results he deserved seeing his excellent performance during the race weekends. With the Chinese GP behind him, Sete looks with high hopes to the French GP. A strong rider, mature and determined, the only one able to challenge the world champion for the past two seasons, Sete Gibernau hopes to recuperate the position which he deserves. “The Bugatti is a very particular track, quite difficult, characterized by a very fast right corner at the end of the starting straight, followed by a chicane which demands for a quick change in speed. An impressive piece of the track!! To take on the Bugatti track in the best possible way, a perfect set up is needed and a good feeling with the front tyre is very important. In fact it is the front tyre which determines the vivacity of the bike during direction changes in the chicanes and it plays an important role during the harsh braking which are followed by quick corners” comments Sete Gibernau, two times winner of the French GP in the past two editions. #33 MARCO MELANDRI – CONSTANTLY GROWING Marco Melandri is no longer a surprise, as he was defined by the press at the beginning of the 2005 season. With two podiums and a fourth place, Marco Melandri is in second place in the riders’ championship. Constantly growing, Marco enthusiastically looks towards the French GP, on a track which this Ravenna born rider likes. “I am very happy with this beginning of season. I would have never thought to be in second place in the championship. I feel as though I have the potential to do well, now a victory is no longer a utopia, I want to try to win a race” comments Marco at the end of the Chinese GP which saw him step onto the third place of the podium. Marco is serene, strong, has regained faith in himself and is completely comfortable with the team which supports him in everything.” MARCO MELANDRI’S COMMENTS ON LE MANS “The track of Le Mans is notoriously known as a track characterized by hard braking. This remains the most distinctive trait of the Bugatti track even if the track has become a bit slower after the modifications to the second corner. Le Mans isn’t amongst the most technical tracks of the Championship. Its design is torturous but I enjoy this track as it is fun to ride here. The sector which I prefer is undoubtedly the two final variations. The track offers a lot of overtaking points like the first braking variation point. The Garage Vert corner is a slow corner which needs a long braking and it gives you enough time to overtake. The slower section is represented by the Garage Vert and the final two corners, two corners which are just a bit two slow for a MotoGP. The secret to a good lap in Le Mans consists of favouring your braking and opening of the throttle more than riding your corner perfectly. The best time I can remember on this track was in 2003 when, for the first time in MotoGP, I began from the first row. The worse memory I have is definitely when I fell in 2001. After the fall in Suzuka, it was my second fall of the season. Le Mans is a place for all Northern and Central European fans to come to. It is a GP which is very followed but still the atmosphere here isn’t as warm as it is in Spain or Italy.” LE MANS TECHNICAL DATA Name of the circuit: Bugatti Circuit Opened: 1974 modified: 2002 Lenght: 4.180 m Width: 13 m Pole position: left Right corners: 9 Left corners : 4 Longest straight: 450 m RECORD: Track record: 2004 Max Biaggi (Ita/Honda) 1:34.088 pole position 2004: 2004 Sete Gibernau (Spa/Honda) 1:33.425 2004 Race: 1st Gibernau (Honda) 2nd Checa (Yamaha) 3rd Biaggi (Honda)