In the latest of his exclusive columns for Crash.net, Eurosport MotoGP commentator Toby Moody reveals more 'behind the scenes' news from round four of the 2005 world championship; the French Grand Prix at Le Mans...


Michelin managed to analyses Gibernau's China GP tyre and not come to any further conclusions as to why it was troublesome in the wet race two weeks ago. Upon getting the freight into France and looking at the tyre on May 9th, nothing was untoward.

Michelin currently have three front tyres that suit the riders. Gibernau and Melandri prefer a front that is best when under hard braking circumstances. Barros prefers one that is similar but has strengths in holding a line when under hard braking when turning into the apex of the corner. The rest want corner speed.


The Red Bull Battle of the Kings get together in Ibiza is planned to be over September 5-6-7 this year. Last year it took place after the Valencia GP, and the year before in Dubai alongside the FIM Awards ceremony.


Roberts KTM opted to qualify and then race with the 'old' KTM V4 engine rather than the newer lighter engine. Word is that Warren Willing has been removed from the MotoGP project, although this has yet to be confirmed. KTM are piling on the 125 points though with Bartol's tight ship of a project further down the pit lane.


Rumours continue to grow about a HRC / Gibernau / Pedrosa / Movistar / Repsol partnership for 2006. Gresini may well be then Hayden and Melandri. The Movistar / Repsol tie up is already strong with Pedrosa's 250 team, the two big companies realising that it is better to work together than battle.

If Pedrosa was to be on a MotoGP bike would it be the 3 cylinder 800cc bike they have running in Japan? The weight limit for that bike would be 10kgs lighter than a 4 or 5 cylinder bike for 2006...
Where though is Alberto Puig going to fit into all of this? Pedrosa and Puig are inseparable and so a space will have to be found somewhere in a big team.


Thefts were yet again rife at Le Mans with no security on the gates after 9pm Friday night. Gauloises Yamaha had a banner go from around their bar in the hospitality (why anyone would want with a GO!!!!!!!!! logo eludes me) whilst a top MotoGP team had two Ohlins forks nicked ? both left handed ones too...

Rumours then abounded that it was in fact the security staff who were pilfering stuff after a rider was seen chasing a security guy with his leathers.


The news about the KTM 250 is that is looks to be now Assen for the debut of the parallel twin. Bartol is concentrating on the 125 project 100%, but as all of the team come to the races, there is hardly any work going on with the 250 as Kallio pushes to the front of the 125 championship.


Rossi was again late into the front row press conference at Le Mans. This time it was 8 minutes he left the world's press waiting.


Melandri's slightly off pace race was due to the little Italian being bent double with stomach pains. In the Clinica Mobile until midnight Saturday, the #33 rider did well to get what points he could.


Anthony West was a late replacement for Martin Cardenas in Aprilia Germany. He struggled in the dry with the new-to-him Brembo brakes that he found quite aggressive from the start. His previous experience was with Nissen brakes.


BMW had their first Power Cup race of seven at Le Mans. Naked K 1200 R machines had a close race with the top 6 crossing the line within 1.7 seconds. Stephane Mertens won from reigning BoxerCup champion Thomas Hinterreiter and Roberto Panichi third.

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METEOROLOGO E CONSULENTE CINOFILO

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"Un giorno anche la guerra si inchinerà al suono di una chitarra" Jim Morrison

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"Un giorno anche la guerra si inchinerà al suono di una chitarra" Jim Morrison

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