Home riders hope to improve in race

De Puniet and Guintoli both briefly led last year's wet French Grand Prix before crashing, but will start 12th and 16th respectively tomorrow.

LCR Honda rider de Puniet had shown better form in practice, but rued an over-cautious qualifyin run.

"This morning was not so bad as we improved a lot the bike on race set-up and I lapped consistently fast," he said.

"We started the afternoon session on qualifiers because of the incoming bad weather but my feeling was not good enough at the beginning. I was not aggressive enough. Then the feeling was much better but I am a bit disappointed with the fourth row.

"Anyway I feel confident for tomorrow's race because my bike package is pretty good and we can ride with a good rhythm for the whole race."

Guintoli has had a difficult season since joining the struggling Alice Ducati squad, and his troubles continued at his home race as he qualified on the back row again.

"I am still trying to adapt to the bike," Guintoli admitted. "It's not easy, especially on this circuit. In tomorrow's warm-up we must complete as many laps as possible."

He remains optimistic for the race, and even hopes that the weather forecast will prove incorrect and rain will allow him to repeat his 2007 charge.

"The race can be really strange here," Guintoli said. "If I start well, I can try to stay with the fastest riders.

"Moreover, the weather changes really quick here, even if the forecast indicates a dry race for the afternoon."