News - 2008' MotoGP French round : D-7
05/08/2008

In 2007, the Stoner-Ducati-Bridgestone trio won its first MotoGP title. Before the French Grand Prix, the young Australian had already obtained three victories from four races. After a buzy winter, the others contenders have improved to battle out for victory again : Yamaha and Honda riders are satisfied with the progress of their new bikes. Michelin has also made progress to erase a very disappointing '2007 season (first missed title since 1991).

This year, there were four different winners for the four first rounds : Casey Stoner won the opening GP in Qatar, Dani Pedrosa secured four podiums and won at home, the rookie Jorge Lorenzo is already a MotoGP winner (1st at Estoril) and his team mate Valentino Rossi gradually recovers confidence and clinched a first victory with Bridgestone in China. At Le Mans, victory should be contended again between these four riders but others may create a surprise such as Chris Vermeulen, winner in 2007, or Marco Melandri, first in 2006 and back to the top aboard the Ducati. As for French, Sylvain Guintoli and Randy de Puniet will try to do well at home after a difficult early season.

For my artworks, I expect a good hunt to finish a six months period of work and more than 40 watercolours. These will allow me to update the riders' profiles.



Championships standings
after 4 rounds
MotoGP Pts QAT SPA POR CHN
1 - Dani Pedrosa (SPA, Honda)
2 - Jorge Lorenzo (SPA, Yamaha)
3 - Valentino Rossi (ITA, Yamaha)
4 - Casey Stoner (AUS, Ducati)
5 - Loris Capirossi (ITA, Suzuki)
...
15 - R. de Puniet (FRA, Honda)
...
17 - Sylvain Guintoli (FRA, Ducati)		 81
74
72
56
33
...
11
...
04		 16
20
11
25
08
...
07
...
01		 25
16
20
05
11
...
-
...
-		 20
25
16
10
07
...
01
...
02		 20
13
25
16
07
...
03
...
01

250 cc Pts QAT SPA POR CHN
1 - Mika Kallio (FIN, KTM)
2 - Mattia Pasini (ITA, Aprilia)
3 - Hector Barbera (SPA, Aprilia)
4 - Yuki Takahashi (JAP, Honda)
5 - Hiroshi Aoyama (JAP, KTM)		 82
61
49
46
44		 16
25
20
11
-		 25
20
11
16
13		 16
-
08
10
11		 25
16
10
09
20

125 cc Pts QAT SPA POR CHN
1 - Simone Corsi (ITA, Aprilia)
2 - Joan Olive (SPA, Derbi)
3 - Nicolas TEROL (SPA, Aprilia)
4 - Mike di Meglio (FRA, Derbi)
5 - Stefan Bradl (GER, Aprilia)		 59
50
50
49
48		 09
20
06
13
16		 25
-
20
07
13		 25
20
16
09
08		 -
10
08
20
11

Time Schedule
Friday
9:00 - 9:45 : 125 cc free practise
10:00 - 11:00 : MotoGP free practise
11:15 - 12:15 : 250 cc free practise
12:25 - 12:50 : MotoGP Rookies Cup free practise
13:10 - 13:40 : 125 cc qualifying
13:55 - 14:55 : MotoGP free practise
15:10 - 15:55 : 250 cc qualifying
18:00 - 19:30 : Meeting with the riders
21:00 : Concert
Saturday
9:00 - 9:45 : 125 cc free practise
10:00 - 11:00 : MotoGP free practise
11:15 - 12:15 : 250 cc free practise
12:20 - 13:00 : Animations
13:10 - 13:40 : 125 cc qualifying
13:55 - 14:55 : MotoGP qualifying
15:10 - 15:55 : 250 cc qualifying
18:00 - 19:30 : Meeting with the riders
20:00 - 21:30 : Motor Show
21:45 : Concert
Sunday
8:40 - 9 :00 : 125 cc warm-up
9:10 - 9:30 : 250 cc warm-up
9:40 - 10:05 : MotoGP warm-up
10:05 - 10: 45 : Animations
11:00 - 12:00 : 125 cc race (24 laps)
12:15 - 13:15 : 250 cc race (26 laps)
14:00 - 14:45 : MotoGP race (28 laps)

Any further information is available at www.gpfrancemoto.com.

[ ©  Mon petit atelier 2008]
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