Le Mans, 18 May 2008: LCR Honda MotoGP rider Randy De Puniet made an impressive race at Le Mans historic circuit today starting from the third row ahead his national fans getting the 9th final place.
Despite showing good form during free practice, De Puniet was unable to translate that to a hot flying lap on soft tyres during yesterday’s qualifying session but the 27-year-old was confident before the start of the 28-lap race as his overall race package was pretty good.

The fifth round of the season at the 4.185m French circuit was held in dry conditions but was white flagged after some laps because of some poor rain and Melandri was the only rider to swap the bike. The Frenchman aboard the Michelin-shod Honda RC212V did a good start but cut the first the chicane as he has been pushed out by another rider. He rejoined the race and did his best to end in the top ten. Rossi got the top of the podium today followed by Lorenzo and Edwards.


De Puniet – 9th: “It was not easy for me today because I finally made a good start but another rider pushed me outside the chicane and when I rejoined the race I was ninth. Hopkins overtook me in the inside in the downhill and we both went wide. So I lost five places and was 14th. For the following eight laps my pace was not consistent but I started to push hard to be back in the top ten. Finally I was behind Capirossi and Hayden but was to late to pass them. I feel satisfied anyway because this race was a lottery due to mixed conditions of the track”.


Race:

1 Rossi
2 Lorenzo
3 Edwards
4 Pedrosa
5 Vermeulen
6 Dovizioso
7 Capirossi
8 Hayden
9 De Puniet
10 Nakano
11 Elias
12 De Angelis
13 Guintoli
14 West
15 Melandri
16 Stoner

OUT: Toseland, Hopkins