Barros tops first day

Alex Barros is the fastest man on the opening day of the Le Mans GP after putting in the top lap in the second practice session of the day, shortly before the rain came down heavily.

The session started dry and the riders were putting in some hot laps with Barros pushing morning leader Edwards from the top spot.

Sete Gibernau took the second fastest time followed by Max Biaggi and Colin Edwards in fourth.

Valentino Rossi had to rely on his time from the morning session to put him in fifth place overall after failing to get higher than 13th in the afternoon session.

Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano took the sixth fastest time followed by Marco Melandri, John Hopkins, Carlos Checa and Nicky Hayden.

The rain came down heavily roughly half way through the session but most of the riders still used the time to get a good wet setup as rain is forecast throughout the rest of the weekend.

Shane Byrne managed a grand total of one lap in the second session. He coasted through most of that lap and then had to abandon his machine on his second attempt.

Check back throughout the weekend for all the latest from Le Mans and check out MCN, out May 18, for all the behind the scenes news that you won’t have seen on the TV.