Valentino Rossi at the start of the Road to Le Mans 2023

The MotoGP World Championship legend will be among 116 riders who will take part in two Road to Le Mans races during the 100th Anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 10-11, 2023).

The nine-time Grand Prix motorcycle world champion will ride WRT imported BMW M4 GT3Belgian team champion of the 2021 European Le Mans Series and winner of the LMP2 category of the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans.

58 cars will take part in the Road to Le Mans, the second of five rounds of the 2023 Michelin Le Mans Cup season. The field is divided as follows: 38 LMP3 and 20 GT3.

Tray LMP3 led by the leader of the championship after Round 1, held in Barcelona, ​​​​The #16 Team Virage Ligier driven by Julien Gerbi and Gillian Henrion. Among the 38 cars entered in LMP3, there are 32 Ligier JS P320 and six Duqueine M30-D08.
Since the first edition of Road to Le Mans in 2016, 13 races have been contested and six LMP3 teams who have already won will participate: United Autosports, DKR Engineering, Graff Racing, Cool Racing, Nielsen Racing and Racing Spirit of Leman. Two winning drivers are in 2023: Tony Wells and Colin Noble.

Grid GT3 suggest selection of the best GT3 available for teams across Aston Martin Vantage, Porsche 911, Lamborghini Huracan, Audi R8, Ferrari 296, Honda NSX, BMW M4 and Mercedes AMG. The #10 Racing Spirit of Leman Aston Martin Vantage leads the championship. Tested by Arnold Robin and Valentin Hasse-Clot.
Another well-known name in tolerance will appear in this category: Jan Magnussen. He will be found driving the GMB Motorsport #88 Honda NSX, alongside fellow Dane Lars Pedersen.

Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: “This year, the Road to Le Mans will host a record number. These two races will give spectators a great battle on the track. I am also very happy to welcome a champion like Valentino Rossi, who will be playing for the first time on the famous 24 Hours circuit of Le Mans. I wish him the same success on two wheels”.

Frédéric Lequien, CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM): “Once again the Road to Le Mans has attracted many fans and star names alongside the regular series and having Valentino Rossi on the grid is a great addition to the event. It also shows the importance of the Michelin Le Mans Cup in endurance racing. I wish all the best of luck to all Road to Le Mans 2023 participants in this special Le Mans anniversary year”.

The two 55-minute races will be held on Thursday June 8 and Friday June 9. Qualifying will take place on Thursday morning.