Grand Prix De France 2010: 23 May

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This event took place 23/05/2010

See event results from motogp.com

Winner: Jorge Lorenzo

Guest Speaker

Neil Spalding

Neil Spalding
Neil Spalding is one of the top world authorities on MotoGP technical development and the author of MotoGP Technology, the definitive and official analysis of the technology behind the sport. In addition to writing the annual technical review appearing in Julian Ryder's official MotoGP Season Review, he is also the technical editor of Motocourse, the annual review of motorcycle and GP racing; the technical specialist for the UK's MCN, and contributes to a wide range of motorcycle magazines and publications world wide.
Neil will be joined by
Julian Ryder at our opening reception.

Le Mans - Fun we had in 2010

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Welcome to Le Mans!
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The medieval town was the home of the Plantagenet family - the ancient British royalty
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A square in the medieval town
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The new tram system runs right in front of our hotel!
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Our 3* hotel right in the city centre
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Happy hours - we loved the Affligem (perhaps too much!)
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The group enjoys the brilliant weather and beer Thursday!
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Neal Spalding, Julian Ryder and guest Gillian Neal
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Le Mans main entrance
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Friday morning pit lane walk is free to all ticket holders
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When Ben Spies came out at the pit lane walk, people went mad...! Many other riders also turned out.
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The iconic main straight from the top part of a lit lane stand
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The paddock
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Toby Moody, Julian Ryder and Gordon Howell enjoy a beer in the sun
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Friday opening party with great meal and much wine & beer!
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Guest speaker Neil Spalding delivers an insightful talk on the recent evolution and troubles at Honda
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Even
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We had 4 people in La Mans celebrating their 50th birthdays! Julian signs a copy of his book (our birthday present)
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Julian and fans at the opening party
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Inside the sumptuous VIP Village
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The VIP lounge
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The terrace where the brilliant weather made this a wonderful place for beer & bikes!
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The terrace at the VIP Village looks out to Les S Bleurs
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Service road tours are unusually included in Le Mans (most other events you need to win them)
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We go around the track in a top spec BMW
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Moto2 bikes from the service road
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La Musee corner
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The buffet lunch at VIP
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Part of our happy VIP group
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Brit Lauren is the very popular umbrella girl for Randy de Puniet
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Our most privileged customers join us as VIP guests of MotoGP team San Carlo Honda Gresini
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Denis makes friends with one of the Yamaha umbrella girls
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WE also do 125/Moto2 team experiences, this is the hospitality for Team Germany
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The MotoGP trophy
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Dovi's bike on display in the pit
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Our Team Experience guests got to meet the Gresini riders. Simoncelli is very friendly (as is Melandri)
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Clash of the Titans
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Marco Melandri's bike gets its final 'go faster' tunes.  It worked.
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Saturday night MotoGP Night dinner with the team. We met most riders; joined here by Simoncelli (with our 'gift bags' from the team)
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The rest of the group enjoyed a brilliant French restaurant in the old town of Le Mans
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More wine...?
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The Le Mans atmosphere in the old town is brilliant
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...and there are lots of cool/unique shops (antique comics!)
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The cathedral boasts the oldest and some of the most spectacular stained glass windows in the world.
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Back to Le Mans for race day...
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At 82,000 it was a record crowd and most grandstands were sold out
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Vive la France! Most of the crowd were raving when our formerly-sponsored rider and good friend Jules Cluzel was leading the Moto2 race. Sadly the flags came down when he crashed...
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Monster Colin Edwards
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Panoramic view over entrance to last corner (fun fair in background)
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One of the largest paddocks in MotoGP
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Monster was everywhere!  (Free drinks may explain the rowdiness of the crowds!)
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Kevin Schwantz's winning 1993 RGV 500 (with retired number 34) was amongst many of the former racing bikes on display
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And now for something completely different... A couple of fans do the 'Full Monty' for 20 minutes before an adoring crowd...
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Saturday evening 'moto' show - features slalom sprints by young French riders (8-15 yrs) The crowd loved them!
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Part of the sell out crowd, along the main straight
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The Moto2 podium had our Gresini rider Tony Elias on the top step!
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Proud Tony
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As his second in a row, he is getting to be an expert at this! (See our video on YouTube)
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The departing bikers...
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And the departing team Tony...
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Sunday night a traditional gourmet French restaurant opens specifically for us
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Food even better than the VIP Village (that is saying something!)
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Sharon's 50th birthday dessert
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Perhaps too much of that great wine...?!
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A good time was had by all
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The hotel is very biker-friendly (underground parking)
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Good bye old town!
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Bon voyage!
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We welcome contibutions of photos and will link your galleries if you wish
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