The MotoGP World Championship delivered another dramatic round at Le Mans as Italian rider Enea Bastianini, aboard a Ducati, claimed victory in the French Grand Prix. He led a field that included Australia’s Jack Miller on a Ducati and Spain’s Aleix Espargaró on an Aprilia, with Quartararo’s French title hopes still within reach but trailing by four points in third place, according to Yamaha’s tally.
With his third win of the season, Bastianini extended his overall tally to 94 points. The race, however, was dominated by a different track story closer to home for the 2022 world champion, the rider from Nice who had already accumulated 102 points this year. A podium finish eluded Espargaró in his bid to close the gap and improve his standing, as he finished just off the expected podium positions.
Le Mans drew a record crowd, with more than 110,000 spectators flocking to the circuit to witness the action. Miller, who had started from pole, launched into the lead as the early laps unfolded. Francesco Bagnaia, another Ducati rider and a strong challenger, remained a touch behind in the early stages, signaling a competitive afternoon ahead.
Jockeying for position, Pecco Bagnaia navigated the race well enough to challenge the front runners for the first part of the contest. Spaniard Àlex Rins, riding for Suzuki, got a strong launch, moving from seventh up to third. His risk exceeded the circuit’s limits at Turn 4, however, where his performance was compromised in a crucial moment of the race on the fourth lap, effectively ending his challenge.
Two Ducati Lenovo Team riders—Bastianini and Mir—saw their chances change when Mir crashed with 13 laps remaining, dashing his hopes for a strong finish. The incident also disrupted the flow of the race for their Italian teammate Bastianini, who had assumed a position of contention but saw his advantage fade as the laps dwindled. With ten laps to go, Jorge Martín found himself stuck in the gravel, removing another potential obstacle for the frontrunners.
That sequence of events ended the tense duel between Bastianini and Bagnaia. With seven laps left, Bagnaia briefly overtook the race leader, but Bastianini regained the lead soon after. Yet in a late twist, Bastianini crashed on the following lap, handing his compatriot Bagnaia a third win for the year and leaving the title battle open as the season progressed.
Behind the leading duo, Espargaró remained focused on the prize he seeks—the podium—while trying to prevent Quartararo from extending his championship lead. The Catalan rider showed determination, holding firm to a position that maintained his chance at defending against the Yamaha rider who topped the standings at the start of the weekend. The day’s action highlighted the close-knit competition at Le Mans and the efforts of the field to maintain pace with the leaders.
In the remainder of the finish order, Marc Márquez represented Repsol Honda in sixth place. Maverick Viñales finished tenth for Aprilia, with Pol Espargaró and Àlex Márquez trailing behind him on Honda machinery. The race concluded with a slender field, as several riders did not finish, including Rins, Mir, Martín, and Raúl Fernández on KTM.
Rankings after the French GP reflected a tight championship battle. At the top, Fabio Quartararo led the standings with 102 points, followed by Aleix Espargaró on 98. Enea Bastianini climbed to 94, while Alex Rins sat on 69. Jack Miller and Johann Zarco were tied on 62, with Francesco Bagnaia close behind on 56. Brad Binder and Joan Mir each posted 56, and Marc Márquez reached 54. Miguel Oliveira stood with 43, Pol Espargaró had 40, and Maverick Viñales trailed on 33.
Overall, the Gran Prix at Le Mans delivered its usual blend of speed, risk, and turning points that keep fans and analysts eyeing the championship relentlessly as the season moves forward.
Ranking after the French GP
- Fabio Quartararo 102 points.
- Aleix Espargaró 98
- Enea Bastianini 94
- Alex Rins 69
- Jack Miller 62
- Johann Zarco 62
- Francesco Bagnaia 56
- Brad Binder 56
- Joan Mir 56
- Marc Márquez 54
- Miguel Oliveira 43
- Pol Espargaró 40
- Maverick Viñales 33
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