Bright start but rain forecast at Le Mans

The customary Friday morning free practice sessions at the Le Mans Bugatti circuit commenced with the 125cc riders enjoying cool, dry conditions as the first participants out on track, though with an overcast sky signalling the likelihood of rain arriving this afternoon as forecast.

Back on European soil after round four in China the riders who have competed at Le Mans previously will use today´s sessions to familiarise themselves with the slightly modified track, with updates to the Garage Vert corner. Meanwhile, the rookies in each class who have not ridden at the French circuit before will be using today´s run-outs to try and get their lap times down to a competitive level as quickly as possible.

When first the MotoGP free practice session starts all eyes will be on premier class starlet Jorge Lorenzo as he tests his injured ankles, which have been immobilised since China as he continues to recover from his Shanghai highside. The brave young double 250cc World Champion will be hoping to stay as close as possible to MotoGP big guns Dani Pedrosa, Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner on the timesheets.