Rizla Suzuki racers Álvaro Bautista and Loris Capirossi arrive to the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France this weekend with different physical statuses, but with the same goal of improving their records at the Le Mans track.

Bautista is still healing from an operation on a broken collarbone which he incurred in a motocross training incident last week, the Spaniard’s eagerness is continuing whilst attempting to collect Championship points in his debut year.

“Unfortunately for me I had a small accident last week and broke a bone in my shoulder. It has been repaired and although it is quite painful I am totally focused on the weekend ahead,” says Bautista.

“Le Mans is not one of my favourite tracks and it is the only one that I have not had a podium at, so it would be great to change that as soon as possible! I was on pole there in 2009 (in the 250cc class), but only finished fourth, so I need to try and break that record.”

The issue that he will be racing through the agony of his injury has done nothing to lessen Bautista’s goals prior to the event. He continues, “I was 10th at Jerez and although I was top rookie I still want to do better. I didn’t get a very good start in Spain and I have to work on that, I did some practice in the Test so I hope I will be able to improve in time for the race. The most important thing is just to ride the bike, and I will do my best.”

Capirossi saw the podium at Le Mans in 2006 and has never ended outside the top 10 at the circuit. The Italian is very keen to get back to competition racing.

“It’s amazing to think we’re almost in June and we’ve only had two races,” explains Capirossi. “With such little action it is difficult to judge where we are at the moment, but the one-day Test after the last race in Jerez was very good for us and we made some positive steps.”

“Le Mans is always a gamble because you never know what weather to expect, so we will need to be ready for anything.

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The debut season of the Moto2 category continues on in Le Mans as the next track to host the World Championship for round three of the 600cc session. Ahead in the rankings is Japanese racer Shoya Tomizawa of the Technomag-CIP squad, after taking a victory and a second place in the initial two events.

The good beginning has the 19 year-old in excellent form, he will be looking to improve dramatically after his failure to end in last season’s 250cc event.  Immediately following is Toni Elías with only seven points seperating him, the Spaniard enjoyed success at the circuit in the past by taking victory in Le Mans in the quarter litre category in 2003. Elías’ victory at Jerez has allowed him to be one of the few racers to have now been victorious in four different classes.

Interwetten Moriwaki competitor Thomas Lüthi takes on third position in the standings, with two victories (both in the 125cc session) at Le Mans he also knows his way around the track quite comfortably. A stage end at Jerez previously means he will be one favourite to be challenge his rivals.

Jules Cluzel’s need to please his home crowd will also see the Forward Racing competitor trying hard. The Frenchman will need to improve on his last record at Le Mans as he did not race in the 250cc class for the last 2 years, due to physical issues.

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Following two rounds of the 2010 MotoGP World Championship, the top two positions in the rankings are taken by Fiat Yamaha colleagues and rivals, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi.

The Italian’s Team Manager, Davide Brivio, has commented on the expectations, with many more racers arriving into the equation as the early part of the year begins.

“Looking at the standings at the moment in terms of the points it’s Valentino and Jorge fighting, but I’m sure also that soon Stoner will come, as will Pedrosa,” says Brivio. “I think it will be as usual, at least the four riders fighting, and some rookies or some other riders will be in there. So it’s going to be hot!”

Brivio also stated the extra care the squad are taking over engine management, with new prohibitations restricting each competitor to six per year. The recent Jerez Test gave an opportunity to make some minor amendments to Rossi’s M1.

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Jorge Lorenzo’s celebrations following his victory at the Gran Premio bwin de España were well prepared at Jerez when he jumped into the lake at the track, while Wilco Zeelenberg was thrilled at the Spanish racer’s initial win of the 2010 season.

The Dutchman, Zeelenberg, now has his first victory in his role as Team Manager for the Fiat Yamaha competitor, following the announcement of the position at the beginning of January. He has worked with Lorenzo over the pre-season so an exciting outcome for Zeelenberg to have his racer claim the chequered flag.

“We are delighted by the victory for Jorge. It’s his first victory of the season and the second one for the team, who are still first and second in the Championship, so the whole team is very happy,” says Zeelenberg.

“He had a great race,” he adds while discussing the battle with Dani Pedrosa for a win. “The last ten laps were fantastic and I think Valentino and Dani were impressed about those last couple of laps by him, and also about the overtaking. Everything was very close but they had a big laugh about it, so I think they all respect the effort he put into those last five or six laps.”

After a successful career as a racer, Zeelenberg has a fine admiration for Lorenzo’s display and offered extra praise.

“All my credit goes to Jorge for those last few laps, and of course a big thanks to the team who did a good job.

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