MotoGP stats and facts on the rest of the pack for Le Mans

Andrea Dovizioso had considerable success in the smaller classes at the Le Mans circuit, twice finishing on the podium in the 125cc class including a win in 2004 and also finishing on the podium three times in the 250cc class. Last year he finished 6th after dropping down to 14th early in the race after a clash with James Toseland.

Le Mans is one of Colin Edwards’ more successful circuits having twice finished on the podium – in 2005 and 2008; one of just two podium finishes he achieved last year. He also started from pole at Le Mans in 2007 – his first ever pole in Grand Prix racing.

Randy de Puniet had great success in the 250cc class at Le Mans with four successive podium finishes from 2002 to 2005. His 9th place last year was his first finish in the MotoGP class at Le Mans; in 2006 he was the innocent victim of a first corner collision and in 2007 he fell on lap nine after briefly leading the race. De Puniet’s 4th place finish at Jerez is his best result since moving to the LCR Honda team at the start of last year.

Le Mans is one of Marco Melandri’s most successful circuits during his time in the premier-class, with several good results; 4th in 2005, a victory in 2006 and 2nd in 2007. Last year he was 15th after his bike stalled on the grid. His 5th place finish at Jerez equalled his best result from last year that he achieved in China, and also equals the best result achieved last year by a Kawasaki rider.

Chris Vermeulen’s win in 2007 at Le Mans is the only victory for Suzuki since the introduction of the four-stroke MotoGP machines at the start of 2002.

Loris Capirossi’s only podium finish from nine premier-class starts at Le Mans is 2nd in 2006. He won the 250cc GP at Le Mans back in 1994 on a Honda.

Mika Kallio had a couple of podium finishes on a 125cc machine at Le Mans. His 5th place last year was his best result at the circuit in the 250cc class.

Toni Elias had three podium finishes in the smaller classes at Le Mans, including victory in the 250cc race in 2003; however he has never finished higher than 9th in his four starts in the MotoGP class at Le Mans.


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