Simon Seeking Another Podium At Le Mans
The MotoGP World Championship travels north from Portugal to France this week as the teams and riders prepare for the fourth round of the 2011 season. The venue is the legendary Le Mans circuit, world renowned for its car and motorcycle endurance races. The Grand Prix circuit is a mere three metres longer than Estoril at 4.185km and like the Portuguese track it has its fair share of elevation and direction changes. Overall Le Mans is slower, however, with a fast first sector followed by a series of hard braking zones. It is not a particularly technical layout, meaning the chase for Moto2 honours will be wide open once again as the likes of Simón, Bradl, Iannone and Luthi look to establish their title credentials amidst a highly competitive field.
MAPFRE Aspar rider Julián Simón has hit form at the right time and in the last round he was fighting for victory all the way to the finish. Second place moved him up to fifth overall and having opened his podium account for the season the Spaniard is determined to finish consistently at the front of the field and mount a serious title challenge. As well as the boost of his result in Portugal, Julián also has two podiums from the last two seasons to look back on at Le Mans as further motivation for this weekend. His team-mate Xavi Forés also arrives in France feeling high on confidence as he looks to tackle what is a completely new circuit for him. The rookie has been within touching distance of the points-scoring positions in the last two rounds and is sure it will be third time lucky.
Julián Simón:
“Le Mans is a circuit I love and I have had good results there for the past two years. In 2009 I won in 125 and last year I was second in Moto2. The main target for this weekend is to come away with a good result and if possible a podium or even a win. I usually get a good feeling from the track and it is well suited to my riding style – I like it there. The main characteristic of the track is the hard braking and I think that is what suits me the most. After experiencing the thrill of the podium again in Estoril I want to work hard during practice to get back there again. It would be good to put two good results together and get the season on track. We’ll have to see if the weather is on our side because it can be quite changeable here. The bike worked really well at Estoril and we are finding the best way to ride it so I hope we can take another step in France.”
Xavi Forés:
“The French Grand Prix is a new one to me because I don’t know the track. At Estoril, which was my first race this season in normal conditions after Qatar and Jerez, I was able to get some kilometres and experience under my belt, which will be invaluable for this weekend. I have heard that Le Mans isn’t a particularly demanding circuit so I will be working hard to take the step we need to break into the top fifteen. I think we are getting closer to the points every time and I hope Sunday is the day we do it. If we do then considering I don’t know the track that will be very positive.”
Source: Aspar Media
