Alex and Troy looking for revenge in France After the Asian adventure barely two weeks ago in Shanghai, where the MotoGP World Championship discovered a brand new circuit with curiously long straights and several hard-braking areas, the series returns to Europe this week to a similarly taxing track, with a fast home straight and a number of violent braking zones, so much so that the riders dub it the ‘stop-and-go’ track. Alex Barros will be looking to make the most of his reputation as the latest of the late-brakers to put the ride through penalty of China behind him. With the pace the Brazilian showed in the treacherous conditions during the race, the penalty prevented him from fighting for victory without a doubt. In Le Mans he will be looking for revenge, alongside his team-mate Troy Bayliss, who has made giant leaps forward on his RC211V and who has already proved he is as determined as ever in the first three races of the year. Sito Pons Camel Honda “I hope that we won’t have the same kind of issues impeding our performance in Le Mans like the penalty did in China. After having been forced to come in during the race Alex was prevented from fighting for the podium positions. However that incident is behind us already, the championship is long and there are still lots of points to be won and lots of races we can be in the lead pack; it’s important that Alex continues to show the kind of form he has in the last two Grands Prix. I also hope that in Le Mans Troy will also get the chance to show the improvements he has made and that he can get into the top five in the race, something I’m sure he is well capable of.” Alex Barros #4: “Le Mans is a track that has always been rather tough for me, but that’s not to say that I won’t be aiming for a top result. The important thing is to prepare the bike well, not necessarily to get it one hundred percent perfect – I know things can’t always go as well as they did in Estoril for example – but still, as perfect as possible. In China we didn’t have the set-up spot on, but on Sunday, besides the penalty, I was quick and I was able to pick up a few points, so I hope I can go well in France too. I’ve still got a bit of pain in my side after I hit the kerb in the crash on Saturday morning, but I think I should be fine by the time of the Friday morning free practice.” Troy Bayliss #12: “I can’t wait to get to France because Le Mans is a track I love. Last year the race went quite well for me, but better still was the test day following it, I had a great day and rode really well. I think that if we can get the bike set up well, I will be able to make a good race.”