DE PUNIET QUIETLY CONFIDENT GOING INTO HOME GRAND PRIX The Kawasaki Racing Team return to Europe, after three overseas races, this weekend for the Grand Prix de France at the legendary Bugatti circuit in Le Mans. For MotoGP rookie, Randy de Puniet, races don’t come more important than this. As the only French rider in the premier MotoGP class, de Puniet will have the support of a strong home crowd this weekend, but he will also carry the hopes and expectations of every French MotoGP fan on his young shoulders. But de Puniet is adamant that he welcomes this additional pressure, and that four podiums in the past at Le Mans prove that he is more than capable of channelling this pressure into a strong result in Sunday’s 28-lap Grand Prix de France. De Puniet’s Kawasaki teammate, Shinya Nakano, can also count on strong support at Le Mans this weekend, after building up a loyal fan base during four years racing for a French team, firstly in the 250cc World Championship, and then in the MotoGP class. And if added incentive were needed, the fact that Nakano’s parents will be watching this race from the Kawasaki pit box, after making the trip from their home in Japan, is sure to provide it. Like many of the MotoGP riders, Nakano does not rate the Le Mans circuit amongst his favourites on the MotoGP calendar, but after a strong performance during practice and qualifying for last year’s race, the 28-year-old Japanese rider arrives in France confident that, with the new Ninja ZX-RR, a good result is a distinct possibility on Sunday. Le Mans, which is situated in the Sarthe region of France and is home to the legendary 24 Heures du Mans car race, is one of the most famous motorsports facilities in the world. First gear corners dominate the 4.18 km Bugatti circuit, on which Sunday’s 28-lap Grand Prix de France will be run, demanding a bike that is stable under braking, but with explosive acceleration out of the low-speed turns. Randy de Puniet: #17 “I’ve had a lot of fun racing at Le Mans in the past. I’ve finished on the podium here four times on the 250cc machine, and I hope that this weekend, on the MotoGP bike, I can do another good race in front of my home crowd. I arrive here pretty confident, because although the race in China didn’t go quite as we’d hoped, the bike was working well in practice and qualifying. For sure, the support of the French fans here at Le Mans adds some pressure this weekend, but it is the same every year and I think this is a good pressure, because my results in this race in the past have always been strong. So, for me, it is not a problem.” Shinya Nakano: #56 “During the European season I live in France, as I did when I raced for four years with a French team, so this weekend is like a second home race for me. In the past this circuit has not been one of my favourites, but we had a good feeling with the bike here last year, and I hope that the same will be true with the new version of Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX-RR this weekend. This circuit requires a bike to be stable on the brakes, but also to have good acceleration, and finding a set-up that achieves this will be our main focus during practice on Friday and Saturday. The weather is always unpredictable here, but if we can find a good balance with the bike, then I’m confident that we can put in a strong performance in Sunday’s race whatever the conditions.” More, from a press release issued by Dorna Communications: MotoGP teams rendezvous in Le Mans Alice Grand Prix de France Thursday May 18th 2006 Just four days after their Chinese excursion, the MotoGP teams started work today in Le Mans ahead of Sunday’s Alice Grand Prix of France. The day saw a few fans already entering the historic circuit to view the sporadic sighting laps of the MotoGP riders, and weather which ranged from patchy sunshine to ominous-looking clouds. The customary pre-Grand Prix press conference featured appearances from championship leader Nicky Hayden, team-mate and race-winner in China Dani Pedrosa, Colin Edwards, John Hopkins and hometown rider Randy de Puniet. Always keen to lend a hand where necessary, a selection of MotoGP riders spent the afternoon at a children’s hospital in Le Mans, meeting and greeting those less fortunate. MotoGP riders Alex Hofmann and Carlos Checa were joined by former 125cc World Champion Arnaud Vincent as they signed autographs, posed for photographs and spoke with the convalescing children. Local riders Sylvain Guintoli and Jules Cluzel also took part in a Q&A session for local media and fans, who are among the most devoted in the world of motorcycle racing. A large number of the premier class’ big names will also be present throughout the weekend for photo opportunities and public interviews at the Espace Recontre section of the circuit. The tight Le Mans Circuit itself contrasts with the ample non-European circuits used in the previous Grands Prix of the season, and also comes with it’s own distinctive quirks. An on-the-premises museum and local ice cream seller help complete the unique charm of the French racetrack, the paddock already filled with the motorhomes typical of European races. The time schedule for the Alice Grand Prix of France follows the normal European scheme. Free practice gets underway from 9am tomorrow, as well as the first qualifying sessions for the 125cc and 250cc classes. Saturday plays host to MotoGP, 125cc and 250cc qualifying, where the expectant French public will get to see how the grid shapes up for Sunday’s race. Nicky Hayden (Honda) : “It’s tough, but it’s a good track. I haven’t had good results here but I have always put in good performances. I like racing, so the more the better. I think I felt stronger in Qatar than in Shanghai in terms of chasing the win. Second is good, but for me its never enough. I’m not too down about not having won a race this year yet. The last three circuits were all big, long tracks. There is nothing too fancy here, and it seems like the weather has followed us too. Mugello is obviously the big one, with three races back to back around that time. I’m not too caught up with points now anyway, it’s still early.” Dani Pedrosa (Honda) : “To be honest, I don’t really like the track. However, results have been good for me here in the past. Every Friday I have to learn tracks on a MotoGP bike, and here I also need to learn the new first turn and chicane. I wasn’t expecting to win in Shanghai, but I want to win all the time of course. It’s a long way to go until Barcelona race, I need two more good results before then.” Colin Edwards (Yamaha) : “For some reason I get along with the track, even though I don’t like it very much. The new chassis has arrived, but I won’t be using them. Maybe you should ask my team-mate. The bike is good, I know we always mention the problems, but it isn’t a bad bike. We have a few difficulties, and you could say that the team is under pressure, but we are working hard.” John Hopkins (Suzuki) : “I tried all I could to stay with Colin. At the end I was waiting for him to make a mistake, but he rode more or less the perfect race. At least I now have the self-confidence to run at the front. I was riding a lot on the front tyre, and settled for easing it home in fourth. We won’t have a new engine for a while, I think Mugello is the predicted race for that. Le Mans is so much narrower than the previous circuits. There is lots of late braking and stuff that is more my style. I have had a huge weight lifted off my shoulders by the Shanghai result, so confidence is high.” Randy de Puniet (Kawasaki) : “I’m not very happy with my first four races in MotoGP. The first two I had a hand injury. But the class is nice and I hope to do well. Last year I had a great race with Dani, where he beat me at the end of the last lap. It would be impossible to have the same race this year, but of course I’m going to try my best.” Alex Hofmann (Ducati) : “I spent a nice day, it has been a great sensation to offer a smile to these children as they surely are spending a quite sad period in hospital. Then, on Sunday, when they will watch the races, I think they are going to be very proud to be able to say that they met some of the riders that they will see on television. On Sunday, I will also have a special thought about them. As far as I’m concerned, I also need to get used to the atmosphere of the hospital as I will have to spend some time there after the GP of Valencia, to remove the 16 screws and the 2 plates I have got in my foot and my ankle, from the crash I had last year during the GP of Japan.”.