MotoGP French GP Returns Boosted by Márquez Comeback
The MotoGP World Championship resumes action at the Le Mans circuit this weekend, May 12 to 14, following a brief break. The spotlight centers on the anticipated return of Spanish rider Marc Márquez, who steps back onto the track for the French Grand Prix after his crash caused by a clash with Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira at the Portuguese Grand Prix. Márquez reenters the competition with the Honda factory team and aims to reestablish his momentum in the championship standings.
After consultations with three medical teams, Márquez received clearance to ride at Le Mans. The decision clears him to compete without incurring the double long lap penalty that had affected Oliveira in Portime3o. The MotoGP appeals court reviewed Márquez’s case and confirmed that the rider is in compliance with existing sanctions, allowing a clean slate for the upcoming races. Márquez will therefore carry forward to the French GP fresh from the review rather than carrying over penalties from prior events.
[World Championship standings update available]
Portugues Oliveira is sidelined for Le Mans due to a fractured right humerus near the shoulder and ligament damage sustained during the recent Spanish Grand Prix. At Jerez, Oliveira faced a difficult moment as a major incident involving French rider Fabio Quartararo led to medical attention on site. The event underscored the high stakes and risks present in the premier class as the season marches forward.
In the championship, Italian Francesco Bagnaya leads after the last round, having built a 22 point cushion over his rival. Bezzechi remains a strong contender with 25 points behind. In Moto2, Spaniard Pedro Acosta holds a narrow lead at the top of the standings, while Arbolino and others are in pursuit. In Moto3, Daniel Holgado has closed the gap to Moreira, trading points in a tightly fought battle for the category crown.
[Calendar update for MotoGP schedule]
The calendar ahead promises a full throttle return for the Spanish Grand Prix action. Viewers will want to catch the live race and all sessions as the action unfolds across three classes. The rights for the MotoGP World Championship are held by a major streaming platform in the region, with coverage extending through the associated networks. Fans in Canada and the United States can access live racing as the weekend progresses and follow all the day by day sessions and the main race itself, with broadcasts and replays available on the designated platform.
MotoGP French GP schedules
Friday, May 12
Free Practice 1 Moto3: 09:00
Free Practice 1 Moto2: 09:50
Free Practice 1 MotoGP: 10:45
Free Practice 2 Moto3: 13:15
Free Practice 2 Moto2: 14:05
Free Practice 2 MotoGP: 15:00
Saturday, May 13
Free Practice 3 Moto3: 08:40
Free Practice 3 Moto2: 09:25
Free Practice 3 MotoGP: 10:10
MotoGP Classification: 11:15
Moto3 Classification: 13:15
Moto2 Classification: 14:10
MotoGP Sprint Race: 15:00
Sunday, May 14
Moto3 Racing: 11:00
Moto2 Racing: 12:15
MotoGP Race: 14:00
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