News - 2007 MotoGP French round : the report 05/24/2007
The French GP is a major date for Mon petit atelier. First because MotoGP¨is the top of motorcycle racing and constitutes the main themes of my work. Then, because I only go on the circuits for MotoGP and World Superbike. At last, because these last six months represent my greatest period of creation ever. This is why I went to the Bugatti circuit under a little pressure.
This year, for my fifth GP backstage, the challenge was serious: 41 watercolours to make sign by 21 riders, the whole in a few hours only. Indeed, I could not devote more than one day to this hunting for autographs. Thursday remains in my opinion the best day to maximize my chances of success.
I woke up at dawn, drove two hours in the rain to reach Le Mans. I collected my pass and immediately walked to the circuits. First surprise, the modernization yard has well progressed since one year. The village has completely changed. Second surprise, the entry of the paddock is not any more in its place! More exactly, it has been moved. It's OK, I'm going to walk for several kilometers today.
An underground tunnel connects now the living area to the working area. No more gravels on the tires manufacturers zone. There's tar on and the ground is covered with painted markings. No bikes on track today but all the teams crews work hard to be ready for this racing weekend. Scooters slalom between the trailers and the lifting trucks. The hospitalities, more imposing each year, finish being assembled. An eternal restarting for the permanent persons of the championship.
In spite of a gloomy weather, which does not encourage the riders traffic, I started to collect my first signatures at the end of the morning. Vermeulen, Hofmann, Guintoli, de Puniet... Certainly among the most on hand MotoGP riders. A special mention to Nicky Hayden, the reigning World champion Champion, now mistreated, quite friendly. We can only wish him to reach the top as soon as possible.
If I regard Valentino Rossi as a bonus, my objective has been achieved to 100%. The bonus took the features of Kevin Schwantz. An unexpected but always nice meeting. Good news because the the feeding of my website for the next six months was depeending on this day result. From next June 14th to the end of October, I will put on line biographic pages about the MotoGP riders.
No respite back from Le Mans. I'm going to start the artworks for the next French World Superbike round, which will take place on October 5th, 6th and 7th on the Magny-Cours circuit. Only 19 weeks left to achieve my program.
