Stoner Blows Motor – 125 Five Lap Sprint Mayhem...

Rossi Back on Form

Valentino Rossi won the MotoGP Le Mans round by a comfortable 5 seconds despite slowing to cross the line. He had pulled 10 seconds clear of the chasing pack of Pedrosa, Edwards and Stoner, and maintained his lead while rain began to fall on some parts of the track. Lorenzo ignored his injured ankles to push through to second place, creating an all-Yamaha podium of Rossi, Lorenzo and Edwards. Toseland was skittled off by Dovizioso on lap three, and Stoner's motor failed. Stoner rejoined the race on his “wet” bike but failed to make any impression.

Valentino Rossi: “Honestly I didn't expect to be so fast today but together with Jeremy and my guys we decided to make some small modifications this morning and in the race my M1 and my Bridgestone tyres worked brilliantly from start to finish. When is started to rain a little bit I thought "oh no!' and so I steadied a bit and tried to ride very sweetly; I had such a good rhythm and I really didn't want to have to change bikes. Luckily the rain soon stopped and I was able to continue in the same way. It's great for Yamaha to have the first three and I want to congratulate Jorge especially for doing such a good job in his condition. Thanks to everybody in the team; the job that Yamaha has done in three months is incredible. I enjoyed myself so much today, the atmosphere in our garage is perfect and now we will make two important days of testing, try to improve even more and then head to Mugello."

James Toseland: “I'm pretty frustrated because a little mistake ruins all the hard work myself and the team have put in. I wish I could have a second go at it now like you get in World Superbikes! I got a great start and really wanted to try and get away with the leaders but I lost a couple of places when John Hopkins came by with a hard but fair move. Dovizioso then made a small mistake and went slightly wide at the fourth corner and as I tried to go underneath him he came back on line and took my front wheel. It was just a racing incident but very disappointing because after that good start I felt like I could have got a good result. ”

MotoGP Race Result – Top Ten:

10 Shinya NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini 28

Smith on Podium

Heavy rain began to fall towards the end of the 125cc race, which was red-flagged and restarted with just five laps remaining.

Local hero Di Meglio won the sprint to the line, the first French motorcycle Grand Prix winner for 380 years (probably). Bradley Smith kept his cool and settled for second place, more than making up for a poor start from pole position in the first half of the race.

125 Race Result – Top Ten: