From a Red Bull Yamaha press release:
McCOY OUT BUT BAYLE BOARDS THE RED BULL
Garry McCoy has pulled out of the French Grand Prix, at the end of the first day of practice, realising that his broken leg is still preventing him from competing.
The pain in Garry’s right leg has actually been getting worse over the last 2 races instead of better and Garry will now seek further medical attention before returning to the track.
Peter Clifford – Team Manager
“It’s obviously terribly disappointing for all of us. We have been able to understand just a fraction of what Garry has been going through from the look of his face as he gets off the motorcycle. I’m very happy that he has decided on this course of action.
“We are fortunate however to have Frenchman, Jean-Michel Bayle as our 2002 test rider and he will compete for us this weekend. Jean-Michel only last week tested for us at Mugello in mostly wet weather completing 108 laps, so he has first hand knowledge of how to handle the bike in inclement conditions. He has extensive track knowledge of this circuit and we are delighted to have him ride for us at Le Mans.”
Bayle, 32 is from Manosque, France, he first competed in the Grand Prix in the 250 Class in 1992 and progressed to the 500 level in 1996 and for the next 4 years competed for the Wayne Rainey Yamaha Team and for Team Roberts on a Modenas.
This year, Bayle won the Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race in April and he has excellent knowledge of this circuit.
Jean-Michel Bayle
“I am delighted to be riding for the Red Bull Yamaha Team at Le Mans and I am grateful for the opportunity to have already tested the Yamaha at Mugello last week and at Valencia in March.
“I have plenty of experience at this track with the Le Mans 24 hour just last month and from racing here in the 250 and 500cc class. This is a physically a very hard track, there is lots of braking than fast straights followed again by more slow corners and this sequence is repeated many times. I feel you can get a good lap time here but once that is done, I know it is very difficult to improve on.
“I have raced on Dunlops before but only for endurance so what I learned at the testing will be valuable for me in qualifying and in the race on Sunday. The team is now busy setting up the bike for me, I don’t mind the wet conditions and I’m looking forward to the race, especially in front of my home crowd.”
For more information on the Red Bull Yamaha Team visit www.redbull-yamaha.com
Jean-Michel Bayle
Date of birth – 01/04/69
Place of birth – Manosque France
First race – 1981
GP Debut – France 1992 (250)
Background –
One of the greatest motocross riders in racing history. French junior Champion in 1985, he moved from the French National Championship to the World Motocross 250 title which he won in 1987 and 1988, before going to the United States where he beat the Americans at their own game, winning the AMA Supercross title and also the Motocross 250 and 500 titles.
GP Experience
Three seasons in 250 class prepared him for the move to the 500 class in 1996 where he was more at home and more effective on a bigger machine.
250 Class
1993 – 22nd – Aprilia Chesterfield Team
1994 – 8th – Aprilia Chesterfield Team
1995 – 15th – Aprilia Chesterfield Team
500 Class
1996 – 9th Team Roberts Yamaha
1997 – 18th Team Roberts Modenas
1998 – 16th Wayne Rainey Yamaha
1999 28th Team Roberts Modenas
2000 – 2002
2000 – Raced Endurance for Suzuki in all rounds of the World Championship. Won in Estoril, Portugal
2001 – Motocross – United States – testing only
2002 -Won the Le Mans 24 hour (April) – endurance Race – Suzuki GSXR – 1000 and will compete in the Bol-dor, endurance race September
Tested the YZR -500 for Red Bull Yamaha at Valencia in March and in May in Mugello, Italy.
Injured McCoy Withdraws From French GP, Bayle Enlisted Into Service
Injured McCoy Withdraws From French GP, Bayle Enlisted Into Service
© 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
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