Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) soaked up the pressure and threw down the gauntlet at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France, coming out on top in a three-way fight for glory against Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) that rolled all the way to the final lap. Nearly 300,000 fans streamed into the event over the weekend and they were treated to a proper show as the #89 shadowed Bagnaia, passed him, and then shut every door in Le Mans to pull off a seriously impressive 25-point haul. And just behind him, Marc Marquez did find an open door – or manage to create one. The #93 pulled a last lap divebomb on Bagnaia that got the job done for second, perfectly crafted to demote the reigning Champion to third.

Off the line, Martin made a good start from pole but Bagnaia bettered it, the #1 taking the holeshot from second on the grid. Behind, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) was threatening but ran in hot at the chicane, leaving teammate Aleix Espargaro to challenge Martin for second on the exit as the #12 Aprilia slotted in just behind Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) in fourth. Marc Marquez, meanwhile, was up to eighth almost immediately, slicing up from his P13 grid slot.

At the front, Bagnaia had the hammer down but Martin was absolutely glued to him at the front. The two pulled a small gap on the chasing pack led by Espargaro, with Diggia in fourth and rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) looking to attack Viñales. He did so not long after, setting the fastest lap on Lap 2, before another shuffle as DiGiannantonio briefly diced with Espargaro just ahead.

However, the rookie then proved the protagonist of the first drama. Looking for a way through on that duel ahead, he overcooked it into Turn 8 going for a move on the VR46 machine ahead, and then only just avoided tagging both as he slid out. More drama then hit nearly immediately after as Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) slid out as he pushed to try and duel with Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team).

At the front, Bagnaia pounded on. Martin shadowed, equally pitch perfect until one small mistake from both with 19 to go, heading ever so slightly wide. But they gathered it back up as the podium fight behind started to light up, the race split between a duel and a melee.

Diggia was homing in on Espargaro, but Viñales, Marquez and Bastianini lurked. The next move came there as Marquez attacked Viñales but was repelled, and Diggia then had a shot at the #41 Aprilia, also forced to hold station. But a lap later the #49 was through into third, and Viñales then began to line up his teammate. He needed no second invite after the door was just left open, with Marquez then striking straight away too.

Next was Bastianini. The Beast came from a long way back and also went in hot, gathering it back up but Espargaro then taking to the run off before rejoining. Bastianini didn’t make the apex either, but his was a shortcut and he was then given a Long Lap for the time not lost.

Meanwhile, Marquez had picked Viñales’ pocket after the #12 was slightly wide, and the eight-time World Champion was homing in on Diggia. By Lap 16, the #93 made his first attack through Turn 3. The Italian responded and in the shuffle, Viñales almost nearly made his way through too. But it was as you were until a lap later as Marquez went for it again, and this time Diggia ran wide trying to take it back. The #93 and Viñales were both past, and the #49 then got a Long Lap for the time he didn’t lose as he tried to rejoin.

By just under ten laps to go, Bagnaia led Martin, the two still absolutely glued together, but now it was Marquez on the chase. Soon, the chess match had its first big move.

At Turn 3, Martin attacked. And he got through, but on the cutback Bagnaia judged it to the absolutely millimetre to nudge back ahead. As you were, until a lap later. Same move, different result as this time the #89 was able to hold it. There was a new race leader, but there was also a new fastest lap… from Marquez.

The Gresini was on the factory machine of Bagnaia in what seemed like a flash as it became a leading trio. It seemd Martin was starting to pull out the centimetres as he dug in, but then the #89 was deep into the chicane with three to go, and it was absolutely locked together once again. Bagnaia was close as anything and showed a wheel but couldn’t barge the door open, leaving a six-wheeled fight for the win to roll on.

Over the line for the last lap, Martin and Bagnaia were almost one machine round Turn 1 and 2, but a hail Mary on the brakes from Marquez saw that #93 re-appear in the shot by the time the trio dropped anchor at the chicane. Bagnaia was harrying, impatient and looking for any inch of space to make a move on Martin, but there was none – so Marquez made some instead.

The Gresini divebombed it but divebombed it to perfection, getting it stopped to take over in second as the remaining apexes ticked down. Would Bagnaia be able to respond at the final corner? As Martin gained some breathing space thanks to the duel behind him, the focus shifted to that one final opportunity. But if Marquez had opened the door for himself corners prior, this time he kept it firmly closed.

Up ahead, Martin crossed the line to take one of his most impressive wins to date, soaking up the pressure and making it a serious statement Sunday. His lead goes out to an incredible 38 points – enough to guarantee he leaves the next GP as Championship leader too – and it’s Bagnaia and Marquez on his tail in that order. Marquez’ back-to-back podiums are his first since 2021 and he’s 40 points off the top, but Bagnaia remains second despite that 0 from the Sprint in France.

Behind the podium battle, Bastianini charged back from his Long Lap to get past Viñales late on, with the #12 forced to settle for fifth. Di Giannantonio took P6 ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), who pipped Espargaro late on and the Aprilia dropped back to P9.

Between the two was Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), whose tough French GP had a much sweeter conclusion on Sunday. From the back of the grid, the #33 charged through to P8. An honourable mention also goes to a savage ride from Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) in an awesome home GP livery, with the Frenchman making it as far up as sixth before a crash out of contention. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) completed the top ten.

That's a wrap on the best-attended Grand Prix in history, and Martin leaves it with a serious and stylish statement win. Next up it's Barcelona and another chance for the world's most exciting sport to prove its moniker, so join us for more in two weeks as we go back-to-back with two more classic events from Catalonia to Mugello!Two Aprilias in the top ten in Le Mans, Viñales fifth

EVENTFUL RACE FOR ESPARGARÓ WHO FINISHES NINTH

The opening laps of the race were complicated for Viñales who, after a good start, went long on the first braking section, dropping all the way back to fifth position. Maverick was still able to work his way back up to third before being forced to concede two positions in the race finale.

After a good start from the second row, Espargaró initially defended third in the early stages of the race until the twelfth lap, when a contact with another rider relegated him to eighth place. Despite this, Aleix battled for sixth all the way to the final lap when, after an aggressive move by another rider, he was forced to drop back to ninth.

Vinales


It was a hard race, but I tried to give it my all. We can only be happy with this fifth place. On a weekend when we did not find the right feeling, taking third in the Sprint Race and fifth in the race is a positive outcome. This is the consistency we are looking for. We need to keep believing and work hard like we have up to now.

Espargaro


I started well, with this bike, I could have finished at least in the top five, but I didn’t feel good in terms of grip. It was an eventful race, with contact that forced me to go long and the time lost attempting to overtake. I wasn’t as consistent as I would have liked, but my outlook is still positive, especially looking towards Montmeló, which will be a fundamental round.


Rivola

Maverick took home a good placement and performed rather consistently. It was a pity about Aleix because he started strong but then found himself in a few battles that caused him to lose rhythm. First an aggressive move by Bastianini and then, at the end of the race, Morbidelli also cost him two positions. It’s difficult to find your pace when these types of episodes occur. We were close today, but not close enough. In any case, we know why we missed this small gap and hopefully we’ll be able to bridge it as soon as possible. Barcelona should be a favourable track for us, so we are optimistic.

Gresini

MARQUEZ SHINES BRIGHT IN FRANCE.
GRESINI’S 1000TH RACE IS A WONDER
220 podium finishes, 73 of which are wins. This is Gresini Racing’s tally in the 1000 races completed so far: today’s podium is one that will be hard to forget.

An incredible comeback with remarkable consistency and with no hesitation, which catapulted Marc Marquez on second place in the Sunday race at Le Mans as well as in third position in the championship standings, 40 points away from leader Jorge Martin.

France brought plenty of smiles in Gresini’s garage, with a solid top-ten finish also for Alex Marquez, who did a great job in scoring points and finding fresh confidence ahead of his home race in Barcelona.
2nd - MARC MARQUEZ #93
“It was an excellent start, even though it wasn’t as good as yesterday’s. There was more time today to put together a comeback and our pace was strong. I lost a bit of time with Diggia and even before that with Viñales, who is definitely not an easy one to pass. Then, when I bridged the gap to Martin and Bagnaia I was expecting the latter to attack but in the end he didn’t, so I gave it a try. I had something more in the last lap so I took a gamble, and it worked.”

10th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73
“My pace was good and considering my starting position, we saved our Sunday. We can’t be satisfied, but we now look ahead to Barcelona with a clear picture of what we need to work on, in order to avoid repeating the same mistakes we made at the start of this weekend. The goals are different obviously, but we take all the positives we can from this weekend.”Repsol Honda Team focus on Le Mans learnings

Luca Marini made it two finishes from two starts at the French GP while teammate Joan Mir crashed showing top-ten pace and focusing on positives.

A record-breaking crowd of close to 300,000 fans witnessed another thrilling edition of the French GP. Dark clouds would loom overhead, but fears of rain would go unanswered over the course of the 27-lap French Grand Prix.

Luca Marini once again focused on improving his style and riding of the Repsol Honda Team over the running of the race. Starting well, he mixed with the other Honda riders before settling into his rhythm and taking the maximum benefit from the laps available. Riding with the other Honda riders has helped Marini to further understand the areas he and the team have room to improve. He finished 16th, just shy of the points.

Looking to put Saturday’s issues behind him, Joan Mir made a spirited start to the race and set about quickly establishing himself as the leading Honda. Able to consistently match the pace of those running inside the top ten with low 1’32s, the #36 marched steadily forward to enter the group battling for the top ten. Unfortunately, a fall on Lap 15 would end his charge. Although the result was disappointing, Mir leaves France pleased with the progress he and the Repsol Honda Team made over the course of the weekend. In particular, he feels that the race pace of himself and the Honda RC213V is getting closer to that of his rivals’.

The Repsol Honda Team will now prepare for the Catalan Grand Prix on the outskirts of Barcelona. The journey will go via Mugello for a private one-day test for both riders.





Luca Marini
16th

“It was another long race for us where we are working on those same areas that are troubling us. We can see that Joan, who was doing a great race until he fell, is able to make a big step over the course of the weekend. I am missing this step a little bit so we need to understand that. I am looking forward to Mugello for the test. I am sure that we can find something there and bring it into Barcelona.”

Joan Mir
DNF

“The important thing to take away from today is the feeling that I had on the bike. After yesterday and the issue we had, it was great to be able to make another step with the setting and have a good pace in the race. I was able to confirm my feelings and I want to say thanks to the Repsol Honda Team for their work today, they provided me with a bike where I could attack. It’s important to remain focused on the positive, which is the pace we showed and the work we are doing. Now we go to Mugello to check a few things.”


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Yamaha

The cumulonimbus cloud hanging over the Le Mans circuit ahead of the Michelin Grand Prix de France Race could have been seen as an omen for the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team. Álex Rins had to contend with all sorts of challenges, but his sheer persistence allowed him to finish inside the points, taking 15th place. Fabio Quartararo was on course for a top-6 result in front of his home fans, but a crash in Turn 9 cut off his dream scenario.

Rins started from P16 but had two difficult opening laps. He found himself in 21st place, battling with Augusto Fernandez to keep his spot. He was successful for a while but ultimately was relegated a position. However, the number-42 rider did still move up two places due to other riders' misfortunes. The Yamaha man then engaged in battle with Luca Marini for 19th position. But Rins' day was about to worsen. He was given a long lap penalty due to taking a shortcut at Turn 9. Rins didn't give up though. He soon continued his sparring match with Marini. This time he was successful. It became a lonely ride from him after that, but with various other riders taking a fall, Rins crossed the finish line in 15th place, 30.936s from first.

Spurred on by the grandstand spectators' rendition of the French national anthem, Quartararo was fired up and ready to go. Launching from P8, he came through in 10th place at the end of the first lap, but with two rivals crashing out in front of him, he was soon back in his starting position. The Frenchman was riding on the limit to stay with the group consisting of five riders fighting for third place. However, with 16 laps to go, Aleix Espargaró went onto the Turn 9 run-off area, and Enea Bastianini was given a long-lap penalty a few laps later. The incidents moved Quartararo up to sixth. He was giving it his all to defend his newly gained position, but the fairy tale was not to be. With 11 laps to go, he crashed in Turn 9. Perfectly OK and happy to have been in contention for a top placement again, he was a little disappointed not to have brought home the special Le Mans livery to celebrate with the fans.

Today's results see Quartararo stay in 12th place in the overall standings with 25 points. Rins remains in 20th position with now 7 points. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP keep their 9th place in the team championship with 32 points, and Yamaha hold onto 4th position in the constructor‘s championship with 28 points.

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team will travel to the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello in Italy next for a private test in preparation for the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from 24-26 May.

MASSIMO MEREGALLI
Team Director


We feel very disappointed for Fabio. We know he really wanted to get a good result at his home GP and in front of the fans, who have been so incredibly supportive. It's a pity his race ended like this, but we all attest to his hard work, determination, and effort. This morning, we made some changes on his bike that proved to work quite well. He was matching the pace of the front guys, so this is positive and constructive ahead of a busy three weeks. Álex on the other hand had a far from easy race, with problems on braking and some sliding – and it was made even more difficult by a long-lap penalty. He was not comfortable with the bike's set-up he tried this weekend, so he will reset and make a fresh start again. As a team, we now need to look ahead to what's to come. We have the private test in Mugello next week, and the week after we have the Monster Energy-sponsored Catalan GP, followed by the Italian GP, our team's home race. All these events are important to us, so we're going to knuckle down in the next weeks.


ÁLEX RINS
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider


A quick overview of the Race: it was really tough for me. I struggled a lot from the beginning to overtake the riders I had in front of me. This was the main problem. At the start, the front wheelie was little bit high, and I lost some positions. Then, lap by lap, I was stuck behind Marini. I couldn't overtake him; I was stuck there. When I was riding alone, I was able to overtake him and manage my pace better despite the problems we were having this weekend, riding low 1'32s. This weekend, it was all about getting a better understanding and taking information. I don't feel we made a step day by day. Now, we will reset and jump on the bike again for two days for an important private test, and let's see if we can improve.



FABIO QUARTARARO
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider


I think this is the first time that I am this happy after a race where I crashed. It's because this was the first time this year that we were really inside the top 6 and that we were fighting. I was fighting well. I was fighting with Aleix. I saw some great riders in front of me, and I think I got a bit too motivated for the pace that we had and, unfortunately, I crashed. I'm pretty happy with how the Race went, apart from the mistake we made at the end. But I still think we can be happy about our Race. Seeing the fans always supporting me, we had to give everything we had. This morning, we made big changes on the bike that have been quite positive. We decided to go with this bike, and I think it will be our new base moving forward. Tonight, I'm going to Mugello for the private test, and after that we have the GPs in Barcelona and Mugello, so it will be a busy three weeks. With the information from this GP, especially from this morning, I think we can set a new direction.

Tech Twa

FERNANDEZ BRINGS POINTS TO RED BULL GASGAS TECH3'S HOME GP, ACOSTA CRASHES OUT AFTER STRONG START

It was a special Sunday in Le Mans on the grid of the Bugatti Circuit as French motorcycle fans were loud and excited for the main race of the Michelin® Grand Prix de France. The event broke its own attendance record of 2023, registering 297,471 passionate people who joined the party this weekend in France. Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 was prepared for a flag-to-flag race as grey clouds threatened the circuit, but in the end, it was a dry, but windy race that awaited the grid. Pedro Acosta could not deliver what he wanted so badly, a great result for his team's Grand Prix, after the rookie made a mistake early in the race, and crashed. Augusto Fernandez managed to bring a few points to his garage after a tough race, finishing in 13th.

As he lined up in twentieth on the grid, Augusto Fernandez was hoping to bring his team a good result after he had seen his feeling on the bike improve over the weekend. Opting with the soft tyre at both front and back of his bike, the Spaniard did not take the best start and found himself at the back of the grid after the first lap. Things were not going to be easy from there, but he started to set up with his race pace, riding his fastest lap on lap 5 in 1'32.011, one that allowed him to gain ground and overtake Alex Rins and Luca Marini, and sit behind Takaaki Nakagami, behind whom he was on the starting grid. The race was challenging, Augusto struggled to settle into a competitive race pace, a bit far from the group ahead to benefit from them. With the few crashes having occurred at the front, Augusto Fernandez finished in thirteenth, and scored three points, a small reward for his team at home.

Sometimes, we tend to forget that Pedro Acosta is just a MotoGP™ rookie. After his impressive debuts in the premier class, with two podiums, a front row start and a silver sprint medal, the Shark crashed after making a mistake. It happens, it is part of the game, and part of the learning process. The Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 had a different Sunday plan in mind though, after the rookie topped the warm up session in the morning. When the lights went out this afternoon, he made a rocket and gained one position in the first lap, placing himself just behind Maverick Vinales. Pedro's early pace was strong, and soon in lap two he attacked Vinales and overtook him, however as he tried to make a move on both Fabio Di Giannantonio and Aleix Espargaro in the third sector, he crashed. It is a great shame for Acosta and his team, after a promising start, but we will learn and come back stronger at the next round in Barcelona, on May 24-26.

Position: 13th

Championship: 17th

Points: 13

"We had a bad start today, which put us in a bad position for the race, and we paid the price. I expected to start better to be with the faster group, but it did not happen. I could not ride like I wanted, it was a tough and frustrating race, but we have to look at the positive, it is the best I've felt since the start of the season. I am looking forward to the next round in Barcelona, it is a track that I enjoy, and hopefully our confidence will continue growing." -- Augusto Fernandez - Le Mans - 2024

Position: DNF

Championship: 6th

Points: 73

Pedro:

"The weekend was not bad overall. After the sprint, we made a big step on the bike’s setting, and the feeling was really good in the warm up this morning. Today could have been a good day: we made a good start, the bike worked well, but there were a few guys doing strange things on the track, and we ended up crashing, one more year. It feels like it is becoming a tradition for me in Le Mans. Let’s try again at the next round in Barcelona."

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Ducati

Podium for Bagnaia and the Ducati Lenovo Team at Le Mans. Fourth place for resurgent Bastianini.


Four Ducati in the top four: a spectacular three-way battle for the win sees Jorge Martín (Pramac Racing) edging out Marc Márquez (Gresini Racing) and Bagnaia


The Ducati Lenovo Team scored a podium finish at Le Mans with Francesco Bagnaia, third at the line and among the protagonists of an exciting battle for the win with other Ducati riders Martín and Márquez. Enea Bastianini put together a superb comeback in the latter stages of the race as he was fourth at the finish line despite having to serve a long-lap penalty at halfway point in the encounter.

Bagnaia enjoyed a perfect start from second place on the grid as he moved up to first position at the exit of the first chicane. The reigning world champion stayed in the lead until eight laps left, as he tried to break the group behind him. As the race entered its final stages, Martín and Bagnaia were joined by Márquez in the battle for the win, with the latter eventually able to edge out Pecco for second place on the last lap.

From tenth place on the grid, Bastianini managed to make up four positions at the start and stayed with the leading group in the first half of the encounter. The rider #23 then had to serve a long-lap penalty following an overtaking manoeuvre on Espargaró, which cost him three positions. Enea reacted in an excellent way, setting the new race lap record (1:31.107) and making his way back to fourth at the chequered flag.

As the French GP draws to a close, Bagnaia is currently second in the championship standings, 38 points in arrears of leader Martín, while Bastianini sits fourth - two points shy of his teammate. The Ducati Lenovo Team leads the team standings with 180 points, with Ducati on top of the manufacturers’ standings (170 points).

The Ducati Lenovo Team will be back in action in a fortnight’s time at the “Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya”.

Francesco Bagnaia (#1 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 3rd
“You can never be fully satisfied if you don’t win, but it was a good race. I managed to recover the feeling from yesterday, but I didn’t feel as competitive as the other two, as they clearly had something extra today. We surely have to keep working, but generally speaking the weekend went well – sprint race aside – as we have always been competitive and fast. It was important to finish the race here at Le Mans after the results of the last two seasons here, so I’m happy about this. In the final stages, I tried to stay as close as I could to Martín in order to try and pass him at turn 13, but Marc was really strong in the third sector, and he used his speed to his advantage in order to have the better of me.”

Enea Bastianini (#23 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 4th
“Obviously I cannot be fully happy with today as I could have done a lot more, so I’m a little disappointed. We had the speed this weekend, but something didn’t go our way and surely that long-lap penalty did penalise us a lot. It all happened because I was in a rush to pass Aleix as I saw the others at the front were starting to push a bit harder. I didn’t make any calculation, I simply saw the chance and tried to take it. Problem is, as it happened on other occasions, I struggle to get the bike stopped when upright, so I ended up wide. I was ready to give the position back, but then I saw him off track and that made it impossible. In any case, I wasn’t expecting a long-lap penalty.”