For MotoGP legend Rossi, racing in a support race was a massive 𝓡step towards his ultimate goal of participating in next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

He had qualified in 🌸P🎀2 but ran out of luck when the race began.

At the wheel of the #46 BMW M4 of Team WRT, Rossi excellently took the lead of the GT3 category at the first c🙈hicane.

But, when trying to avoid prototypes on the firs𝓀t lap he slipped to sixth.

Stil🔯l, Rossi was valiantly able to battle back to P2 when he handed over duties to teammate Jérôme Policand.

B🃏ut a Ferrari sent Policand spinning, meaning the #46 crew were restricted to a P15 fin⛄ish.

The second Road to Le Mans race is on Friday.

Results of race 1:

1. Ligier JS P320 #58 Tea🌌m Virage, 🧸Rich/Espirito Santo,

2. Duqueine M30 D08 #4, Melsom/Bell,

3. Ligier JS P320 #77 Team Thor, ⭕Gudmundsson/Noble,

4. Li♌gier JS P320 #12 Racing Spirit of Leꩲman, Wolff/Doquin,

5. #320 Ligier JS P97 Cool Racing, Sanjuan/Droux.

GT3 standings:

1. BMW M4 GT3 #31 Team WRT, Whale/Hesse,

2. Porsche 911 GT3 🅷R #86 HCR with Caffeinesix, Creswick/Fjordbach,

3. Ferrari 488 GT3 #74Kessel Ra♛cing, Cuhadaroglu/Fumanelli.