MotoGP's fifth round of the season in France

Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci arrive in Sarthre after a good effort in Jerez. The Spanish track underscored a few too many problems of the official Desmosedici bikes, but the overall result for the championship was not insignificant. But now it's time to put the wheels on the French track for what should be a good race for the red motorcycles from Borgo Panigale. 

The Le Mans track has an excellent surface for MotoGP bikes. It alternates long straights and sudden braking followed by slow corners, or rather demanding changes of direction that put a strain on brakes and chassis. On this track both Ducati Team riders have had good results in the past. The French track is considered to be a "stop and go" type even if in reality there are no particularly slow points except for the last corner into the final straight. 

Le Mans is one of the races with the most spectators and as early as Friday the circuit is filled with French "motards". The grandstands on the central straight remain full even after the end of the qualification runs as numerous entertaining events are presented, stunt riding and freestyle riding being the most popular. In the evening everybody moves to the lawn in front of the Dunlop bridge for rock concerts. 

Even in France, Dovizioso and Petrucci will be able to count on the support of the Ducati Grandstand, home to the many local fans from the other side of the Alps. The French fanstand was one of the first, organised in 2007, and that very year a group "haka" was held that put Casey Stoner on the podium...