A look at the 250cc facts and figures

- Alex Debon starts from pole for the second time in his Grand Prix career – his other pole was at the opening race of this year in Qatar.

- Alvaro Bautista maintains his 100% record of front row starts for 2008. Le Mans is one of only two circuits on this year´s schedule where Bautista has raced previously where he has not had a podium finish in either the 125cc or 250cc class.

- Marco Simoncelli finished sixth last year at the French GP equalling his best result of 2007, which he also achieved at the Dutch TT.

- Thomas Luthi is still looking for his first podium in the 250cc class having finished fourth on five occasions.

- Mattia Pasini failed to finish for the last two years at Le Mans in the 125cc race after qualifying on pole on both occasions: in 2006 he crashed on lap one and last year he retired with mechanical problems on lap 20 while fighting for the lead.

- Mika Kallio has finished on the podium six times in the past eight races, including four victories.

- Hector Barbera (11th) will be starting from his lowest grid position since his 13th place start at the Japanese GP in 2005.

- Alex Baldolini will be making his 100th Grand Prix start, 16 of which have been in the 125cc class and the remainder in the 250cc class.