After two successful tests, one in Jerez (Spain) and one in Mugello (Italy), the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team are ready to put on a show this weekend at the Le Mans - Circuit Bugatti in France.

The combination of Maverick Viñales, his YZR-M1, and the French circuit proved to be a winning formula last year, when the youngster secured Yamaha it's 500th Grand Prix win. He already realized a third place race result in 2016 and had his heart set on making it a podium hat-trick this weekend.

The Spaniard currently holds third place in the championship, 20 points behind the leader. After last week's tests he approaches the competition in Le Mans with a positive mindset and he will be giving his all to bridge the margin to the top of the standings.

Valentino Rossi is eager to start the fifth round of the championship as he's looking to set things right with the thousands of fans that visit the French MotoGP round each year. He was fighting for the win in last year's race when he crashed out of second place. This year he is keen on a do-over, so he can step onto the French rostrum and celebrate with the crowds.

Traditionally, the Doctor scores competitive results at the Grand Prix de France. Throughout his premier class career he has collected three victories at Le Mans (2002, 2005 and 2008), six second places (2003, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016) and three third places (2000, 2001 and 2011). He currently sits in sixth place in the championship standings, 10 points behind his teammate.

The Bugatti Grand Prix race circuit was built in 1965 and is situated just a few kilometres from the city of Le Mans. MotoGP made its first visit to the iconic French track in the late sixties and it remained a fixture until 1996. After some safety moderations, the 4.2km-long circuit was added back on the calendar in 2000. Its lay-out of five left and nine right corners places the emphasis on late braking, hard acceleration, and rear-end traction, and promises to make for a great spectacle on Sunday.


Maverick Viñales - Championship: 3rd – Points: 50

"The race in Jerez was very difficult for us again this year. Fortunately, the tests last week were good. We are very close to finding the perfect set-up for me, so I'm heading to Le Mans with a positive mindset. I have really good memories from my victory on the Yamaha last year, so hopefully we'll be able to repeat the success we had there. Le Mans is a good track for us, it suits my riding style, and I think we can do a really good job. We'll do our best to be at the top of the classification."

Valentino Rossi - Championship: 6th – Points: 40

"I'm happy we're going to France next, because on paper we should be fast in Le Mans - usually the Yamaha works well there. I think that at the moment the situation is difficult to predict, because our rivals are strong, so we'll see what our potential will be like. I expect to be a bit more competitive compared to the previous GP weekend, but I don't know where we stand compared to the other bikes yet, so that will be interesting to find out. For sure my guys and I will do our best, as always, to make it a good race weekend."

Massimo Meregalli - Movistar Yamaha MotoGP - Team Director

"Vale, Maverick and the team have had little to no rest since the Grand Prix of Spain, as we have completed two tests last week. The Le Mans circuit suits our bike and both our riders - Maverick secured Yamaha's 500th Grand Prix victory just last year and Valentino has stood on the French podium many times - making it a good track for us to gain positive momentum after Jerez. So far, the weather forecast looks perfect, so we are looking forward to a competitive race weekend and having both our riders fighting at the front again, like they did last year."