Stoner confident at Le Mans

He describes the layout as a "go-kart track" but world MotoGP champion Casey Stoner is confident of overcoming his indifference to Le Mans at this weekend's French Grand Prix.

Stoner is out to reduce the 25-point buffer to series leader Dani Pedrosa in the sixth round of the championship.

"I haven't had outstanding results at Le Mans in the past but they have been good and I remember last year being really fast in practice and feeling confident for the race," Stoner said.

"Then on Sunday it rained but I still came away with a podium.

"The track itself is not the most exciting - it's more like a go-kart track, where the bike has to be really efficient on the brakes but agile at the same time and quick on the exit of the corners.

"At the end of the day though, whether you like a track or not, the objective is still the same.

"You have to work hard all weekend and prepare a competitive package for the race, something we generally always manage to achieve and have the knowledge to do again."

Five-times world champion Valentino Rossi ended a seven-race losing streak with his recent victory in China, which he believes will help launch he and Yamaha to another world crown.

Rossi has now moved to third place overall in the standings, nine points behind Pedrosa and just two behind teammate Jorge Lorenzo.

He also enjoys a 16-point cushion over Ducati's Stoner.

"China was a very important boost for everyone and a great result for all the hard work that everyone has put in so far this season to get us to this point," Rossi said.

"Now we have to make the most of this moment and keep pushing like this."

Rossi has won twice at Le Mans in the sport's elite class but the last two years have been disappointing with rain ruining his opportunities in 2007 while a tyre problem ended his hopes 12 months earlier.

"Yamaha usually goes very well at Le Mans and, although it's obviously the first time we've been there with Bridgestone tyres, I am confident that we will be strong there," he said.

"We are nine points from the top of the championship but our rivals are very motivated too so there is no let-up and we must go for the maximum points again."

Lorenzo, one of the revelations of the season so far after stepping up from the 250cc class, has been given the all-clear to ride despite damaging his ankles in a fall in China where he still finished fourth.

"I was lucky in China. If I'd have landed differently it could have ruled me out until the middle of the season and certainly prevented me from enjoying myself as much as I am in this early part of the season," the 21-year-old Spaniard said.