A look at the 250cc facts and figures
Sunday, 18 May 2008
The motogp.com statisticians pick out the key data relating to the 250cc race at Le Mans.
- 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.
