The Ducati ace Casey Stoner, 11 points behind the eight-time world champion after three races this season, has endured a stormy relationship with the famous French track where he was only 16th last season.
“We’re on the back of two races that have really put us to the test but we’ve come out of them with decent results,” said Stoner, who won the opener in Qatar, was fourth in Japan and then third at Jerez.
“Even Le Mans is like that in a couple of places, it is not a fast and flowing track. It’s the classic stop and go layout that requires good braking, although you can take some nice, fun and fast lines on the way out of the turns.”
Rossi, who won here in 2008, agreed with his Australian rival that this season’s championship could go to the wire. Yahoo! Eurosports
A win at Le Mans for Rossi will not only see the Italian extend his lead atop the rankings, but will also allow him to head into the next round, at Mugello, battling for his 100th grand prix victory in front of his adoring home crowd.
Coming off a victory at Jerez, and the only rider to have a perfect podium record this season, “The Doctor” is in top form for France, where he won the corresponding race in last year’s championship.
“Things are great in our team at the moment,” the Fiat Yamaha rider said.
“We made a big step forward in Jerez. My bike was fantastic and it was great to win again.”
“Le Mans is a very different track but the Yamaha is always fast there. This year, a lot of things have changed but I hope we will still be quick. It’s good to have a rest between races after two together, and now we will arrive in Le Mans fully relaxed and ready to work on maximum power.”
The Le Mans circuit has been good to Yamaha. In 2008, they filled the top three places, with Rossi’s teammate Jorge Lorenzo and Tech3 Yamaha Colin Edwards filling out the positions behind the Italian superstar. Fox Sports
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