Casey Stoner may have been the rider fined 🃏by Race Direction, for lashing out at Randy de Puniet after a high-speed near-miss in morning warm-up at Le Mans, but the Frenchman still apologised for his part in the incident.

Repsol Honda rider Stoner, who went on t💝o win the race, punched de Puniet on the shoulder after the slow-moving Pramac Ducati rider moved across in front of him on the back straight.

That resulted in 💙a fine of 5000 Euros for Stoner from Race Direction, but no punishment for de Puniet.

"I'm sorry about what happened this♈ morning with Casey," said Randy. "I was adjusting the brake, thinking that I had no one behind. Then, suddenly, I saw Casey coming behind me at full speed, I tried to leave the road to him, but unfortunately I went where he was pointing. I'm sorry and even if his reaction was not the best, for me it's all put in the past and I have nothing wrong against him."

de Puni🌸et crashed out of Sunday's race, marking his third DNF in four races.