Cycle News Staff | May 11, 2024
Sunday MotoGP
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.
Martin withstood mountains of pressure to take the French GP win.
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.
Marc Marquez snapped past Bagnaia on the last lap to take second.
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 seemed 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.
2024 French MotoGP Results—MotoGP Race
| 1 |
Jorge Martin |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
|
| 2 |
Marc Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP™) |
+0.446 |
| 3 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+0.585 |
| 4 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+2.206 |
| 5 |
Maverick Viñales |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+4.053 |
| 6 |
Fabio Di Giannantonio |
(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing) |
+9.480 |
| 7 |
Franco Morbidelli |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
+9.868 |
| 8 |
Brad Binder |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+10.353 |
| 9 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+11.392 |
| 10 |
Alex Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP™) |
+13.442 |
Sunday Moto2
Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) returned to winning ways at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France after a stunning ride to victory, taking back the Championship lead in the process. It was an MT Helmets – MSI 1-2 after serious charge from Ai Ogura, who carved through the field from P17 on the grid, with Alonso Lopez (Folladore SpeedUp) perfectly defending from Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) on the last lap to take third from the American.
Garcia pulled off the perfect start, pulling out a steady gap on the opening lap as the rest of the field battled behind hard behind. Polesitter Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) was swallowed by the pack in the opening stage of the race after a big mistake on the first lap, dropping to eighth in a fight with Fermin Aldeguer (Folladore SpeedUp).
A number of crashers, including Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTO Gresini Moto2™), saw the order chop and change, but the rider on the move was Canet. After setting a fastest lap, the #44 attacked Roberts for second in a brilliant three-way fight joined by Lopez, with the American bumped to the back of the trio – for now.
Sergio Garcia went from pole to the race win.
At the front, Garcia charged on to keep the gap consistent, with all attention turning to the battle for second between Canet and Lopez. It was gloves off with three laps remaining, with Lopez slipping into second before making a mistake at turn four, allowing Canet to show his front wheel. The battle for second then bunched up even more with Ogura fancying a podium – charging into third on the last lap.
Garcia crossed the line to win the French GP with Ogura finding a gap to pass Lopez for second, holding onto it to make it a historic 1-2. Lopez was then left to fend off a final corner move from Roberts, with contact but no drama and the Spaniard holding on to the line.
Behind Roberts to cross the line in fifth was Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) a further 0.171s behind. The #35 held off Canet to the line, who dropped to sixth after battling with Roberts on the last lap. Aldeguer found time late in the race to comfortably finish ahead of Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Albert Arenas (QJMOTO Gresini Moto2™), with CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team’s Izan Guevara taking the final spot inside the top 10.
2024 French Moto2 Results—Moto2 Race
| 1 |
Sergio Garcia |
(MT Helmets – MSI) |
|
| 2 |
Ai Ogura |
(MT Helmets – MSI) |
+3.174 |
| 3 |
Alonso Lopez |
(Folladore SpeedUp) |
+3.704 |
| 4 |
Joe Roberts |
(OnlyFans American Racing Team) |
+3.764 |
| 5 |
Somkiat Chantra |
(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) |
+3.935 |
| 6 |
Aron Canet |
(Fantic Racing) |
+4.511 |
| 7 |
Fermin Aldeguer |
(Folladore SpeedUp) |
+4.811 |
| 8 |
Tony Arbolino |
(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) |
+6.811 |
| 9 |
Albert Arenas |
(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) |
+8.831 |
| 10 |
Izan Guevara |
(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) |
+14.215 |
Sunday Moto3
David Alonso (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) put in a masterclass at Le Mans to bounce back from heartbreak in Jerez, attacking early on the final lap and then keeping the door firmly shut to deny Dani Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) the top step. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) completed the podium as three key contenders went toe-to-toe at the front.
Alonso got the launch and initial lead, but through the chicane Holgado struck for first and took it. The Championship leader headed his closest rival as fellow front row starter Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) harried the duo, but in no time at all it became the classic Moto3™ freight train.
The first key drama saw Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power) pipped out of contention by David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports), for which the #64 then got a double Long Lap. That dropped him out the group before he than also crashed and rejoined, leaving his fellow podium finishers from Jerez to fight it out at the front with the top two in the title fight.
David Alonso just pipped Holgado for the Moto3 win.
Alonso, Holgado, Veijer and Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) duked it out at the front, with close company from rookie Joel Esteban (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) and Ortola’s teammate Ryusei Yamanaka.
Onto the final lap it bubbled up to a three-way fight between the top three in the title fight as Holgado led Alonso led Veijer. But not for long, as the Colombian hit quick to edge out the 96, leading into and through the 3-4 chicane. And he kept leading, with Holgado just not able to find a way through through 9 and 10, nor into 12 as he looked tempted to try.
That left Alonso to completes his bounce back mission from Jerez in style, back on the top step and with it closing the gap to Holgado at the top of the Championship to a single point. Veijer was likewise not able to nudge open the door to attack on the final lap, but third to follow up his victory at Jerez makes it the second time he’s taken back to back GP podiums.
Esteban nabbed fourth from Ortola on the final lap, taking his best Grand Prix result yet as his rookie year continues to impress. Ortola completed the top five though, with Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) coming back to P6 from two Long Laps given for slow riding in practice.
Yamanaka, Rueda, Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and rookie Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) completed the top ten.
2024 French Moto3 Results—Moto3 Race
| 1 |
David Alonso |
(CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) |
|
| 2 |
Daniel Holgado |
(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) |
+0.105 |
| 3 |
Collin Veijer |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+0.242 |
| 4 |
Joel Esteban |
(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) |
+0.476 |
| 5 |
Ivan Ortola |
(MT Helmets – MSI) |
+0.612 |
| 6 |
Adrian Fernandez |
(Leopard Racing) |
+0.797 |
| 7 |
Ryusei Yamanaka |
(MT Helmets – MSI) |
+0.958 |
| 8 |
Jose Antonio Rueda |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+1.035 |
| 9 |
Tatsuki Suzuki |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+1.101 |
| 10 |
Angel Piqueras |
(Leopard Racing) |
+2.163 |
2024 French MotoGP News—Saturday
Bagnaia retirement over ‘something dangerous’
Pecco Bagnaia endured another Sprint race to forget as he retired at the close of the first lap due to “something dangerous” with his set-up.
Francesco Bagnaia had a Saturday to forget in France.
The reigning World Champion gave little away in his dealings with the media, but it was rumored a faulty rear tire was the reason behind his terrible start, descent from second to 15th and run through the gravel at Turn 7.
“I retired because something… was dangerous,” he said. “I felt something strange. And then in the warm up lap I went wide in corner 7 already, in a strange way. Then started, the bike had a really huge wheelie. Then was very difficult to do, more or less everything. We had to change the bike from the crash of this morning and the other one maybe was to re-adapt a bit.”
Bagnaia denied it was an issue with his Ducati’s start device.
Marquez’s braking skills
The incredible Marc Marquez braking nous was in full force in the Sprint.
Aside from claiming a brilliant second place in the Sprint from 13th on the grid, Marc Marquez has been winning plaudits from several figures within Ducati for his riding style aboard the Desmosedici GP23.
Team-mate Alex Marquez already believes his brother is “one of the best,” in terms of braking skill. “He has a particular style. The strong point that he had with the Honda, which seemed impossible with the Ducati, I don’t know how he did it. But he is doing it again.”“I thought I couldn’t do it with the Ducati that strong point of entering the corner so quickly, but he’s achieving it. The Honda was critical, but you always understood what was happening.”
Mir’s future up in the air
Will Mir be Aprilia-bound next year?
Joan Mir’s future remains up in the air as Honda’s desperate struggles continue apace. The 2020 World Champion is assessing an offer from HRC to stay beyond 2024 but has also been heavily linked with the seat at Trackhouse Aprilia, where former Team Manager Davide Brivio has recently taken the reigns. But the Majorcan refused to be drawn on his future on the eve of the event. “Actually, this is a good question, but I cannot answer you,” he said. I have options on the table but I don’t really know what I want to do. This is a bit the reality. So I need a bit more time, to understand, to take a good decision for my future. This is the reality.”
Saturday MotoGP Sprint Race
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) bounced back from Jerez in style at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France, getting an incredible launch from pole to take off and escape to his 12th Tissot Sprint win. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) pulled off an awesome comeback to thread through to second from P13 on the grid, with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) completing the Sprint podium. Where was reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)? Read on…
It was a stunning start from Martin to take the holeshot, and the exact opposite for Bagnaia as he plummeted from second to mid-pack, seemingly with some sort of issue. Meanwhile some friendly-fire – within the limit – between the Aprilias added another shuffle, and with that it was Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) slotting into second on the chase behind Martin.
Martin took the lead from pole position and that’s all she wrote.
Meanwhile, as Bagnaia went backwards, Marc Marquez was storming forwards. The number 93 threaded the needle to perfection off the start and was into fifth within a few corners. Within a few laps, he was the rider on the chase behind the Martin-Bezzecchi duel at the front.
Aleix Espargaro was then the next to drop out of that front battle as his start proved too good to be true, given a double Long Lap for the jump start. The drama then amped up again for Bagnaia just behind that, as he ran wide from the back of the field. Something was definitely wrong for the #1 as he then headed into pitlane. The reigning Champion was out of the Sprint.
That left Martin leading Bezzecchi leading Marquez, with Viñales next up. A gaggle of Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had the gloves off too, and Espargaro then rejoined in their midst.
Marquez barged his way through the pack in the opening lap.
Suddenly, there was more drama at the front. Yellow flashed across the run off at Turn 9 as Bezzecchi slid out from that second place, leaving Marquez on the chase behind Martin. The gap between the two was now at over two seconds, however, and the clock was counting down. The Sprint King was on his way to another Saturday stunner, and he got the job done in style to capitalize on a tough Sprint for Bagnaia.
Behind Martin’s impressive charge at the front, Marquez took second after an awesome comeback ride from P13 on the grid, with Viñales holding onto third in the last laps as Bastianini put in a late charge for glory. The ‘Beast’ had to settle for fourth.
Vinales held on for third in the Sprint from a chasing Bastianini.
Espargaro recovered from his double Long Lap to finish fifth, with Acosta taking a solid sixth and putting in a final corner save. Di Giannantonio held off Miller for seventh, with Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) taking the final point on Saturday… just marginally ahead of home hero Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™).
2024 French MotoGP Results—MotoGP Sprint Race
| 1 |
Jorge Martin |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
|
| 2 |
Marc Marquez |
(Gresini Racing MotoGP™) |
+2.280 |
| 3 |
Maverick Viñales |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+4.174 |
| 4 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+4.798 |
| 5 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+7.698 |
| 6 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) |
+9.185 |
| 7 |
Fabio Di Giannantonio |
(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing) |
+11.190 |
| 8 |
Jack Miller |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+11.516 |
| 9 |
Raul Fernandez |
(Trackhouse Racing) |
+12.257 |
| 10 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) |
+12.699 |
Moto2 Qualifying
Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) came out the blocks swinging in France to secure a heroic pole position, fighting through from Q1 to pull off a spectacular 1:35.037. A late crash couldn’t dampen spirits as he looks to get back in the fight at the front, with the Spaniard passed fit after his ankle injury from Jerez and now set to start from pole.
Hard man Aron Canet charged to the Moto2 pole ahead of Joe Roberts.
Joining Canet on a competitive front row will be the World Championship leader, Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team), who was a mere 0.136s behind, with the rider Roberts’ stole the lead from last time out, Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI), set to line up third.
Albert Arenas (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) heads Alonso Lopez (Folladore SpeedUp) on Row 2, with Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) rounding off a strong second row to just deny Izan Guevara (CFMoto Inde Aspar Team).
Fermin Aldeguer (Folladore SpeedUp), meanwhile, starts from 12th as he aims to put in another comeback through the field.
2024 French Moto2 Results—Moto2 Qualifying
| 1 |
Aron Canet |
(Fantic Racing) |
1:35.037 |
| 2 |
Joe Roberts |
(OnlyFans American Racing Team) |
+0.136 |
| 3 |
Sergio Garcia |
(MT Helmets – MSI) |
+0.211 |
| 4 |
Albert Arenas |
(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) |
+0.340 |
| 5 |
Alonso Lopez |
(Folladore SpeedUp) |
+0.400 |
| 6 |
Manuel Gonzalez |
(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) |
+0.416 |
| 7 |
Izan Guevara |
(CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) |
+0.562 |
| 8 |
Senna Agius |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+0.573 |
| 9 |
Filip Salac |
(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) |
+0.616 |
| 10 |
Tony Arbolino |
(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) |
+0.738 |
Moto3 Qualifying
Third time lucky? After taking his first pole three GPs ago, David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) hasn’t started from anywhere else since. His third consecutive pole position saw him destroy the lap record yet again with a 1:40.114 on his final flying lap in France as he looks to bounce back from a crash out the lead in Spain.
David Alonso is hot to trot with his third straight Moto3 pole.
It was extremely close at the front, however, with Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) securing second, missing out on pole position by 0.011s, with Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) returning to the action and the front row at once.
Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) will start from fourth after the last lap for Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) cancelled due to yellow flags, putting the Jerez winner fifth. Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) will round out the second row and hopes to close the gap to Alonso and Holgado on Sunday.
2024 French Moto3 Results—Moto3 Qualifying
| 1 |
David Alonso |
(CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) |
1:40.114 |
| 2 |
Daniel Holgado |
(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) |
+0.011 |
| 3 |
Jose Antonio Rueda |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+0.312 |
| 4 |
Adrian Fernandez |
(Leopard Racing) |
+0.663 |
| 5 |
Collin Veijer |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+0.679 |
| 6 |
Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) |
+0.746 |
|
| 7 |
Joel Kelso |
(BOE Motorsports) |
+0.764 |
| 8 |
David Muñoz |
(BOE Motorsports) |
+0.911 |
| 9 |
Angel Piqueras |
(Leopard Racing) |
+0.926 |
| 10 |
Ryusei Yamanaka |
(MT Helmets – MSI) |
+0.942 |
2024 French MotoGP News–Friday
Riders react to new rules
Marquez is a fan of the new rules.
Marc Marquez expressed his delight at the technical rules designed for 2027 which will reduce engine capacity from 1000cc to 850cc, limit aerodynamics and ban ride height and start devices. “It looks like they are going more to the show,” he said. “More restrictions on the technical side is good for the riders. In the end if you have less technical things on the bike, the rider can more the difference, and the value of the rider will be better. They followed like this in Formula 1 last year, so let’s see.”
Ducati speculation reaches fever pitch
Speculation regarding Pecco Bagnaia’s team-mate for 2025 was amped up in France, with Enea Bastianini, Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin all in the frame.
Jorge Martin, Marc Marquez, and Enea Bastianini are all in line for the second Ducati seat.
On Thursday Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna enigmatically stated the factory would consider a rider’s form over the past “six years, not just one” when making a decision. For his part Bagnaia stated, “I don’t care. I just want to beat them all, try to be always the best and keep going like this.”
And Martin was philosophical in the wake of rumors that Ducati is poised to choose Marquez for the seat over him. “I would understand it,” he said. “It’s Marc Marquez, eight-time world champion, marketing-wise he’s a beast and I would understand that position. It reassures me that I have the rest of the manufacturers waiting to see what happens to, in that case, (sign) me. Whatever happens, I won’t be without a bike.”
Zarco admits Stewards outburst ‘unprofessional’
Johann Zarco walked back his strongly worded comments toward lead FIM Steward Freddie Spencer, admitting they were “unprofessional”. The Frenchman was enraged in the wake by the former 500cc champion’s reaction after his Spanish GP clash with Aleix Espargaro.
Johann Zarco was a little more humble this time at Le Mans.
“Two weeks are gone, so we can arrive calmer to a meeting,” said Zarco of his interaction with Spencer on Thursday morning at Le Mans, aimed at clearing the air. “What was not professional from my side was to get a high voice.
“I said to Freddie and the other marshals, they are free to take a decision, but it’s only Freddie who is speaking but then they take the decision all three.”
Friday MotoGP
It was an intense shootout for direct entry into Q2 on Saturday at the Michelin Grand Prix de France with the spots in the top 10 going down to the wire. At the end of Friday, it was tight at the top with just 0.187s separating the top three with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) reigning supreme on Friday. The 2023 MotoGP World Champion runner-up was ahead of his rival Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), and rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3).
For Martin it was a building session, with the #89 consistently running inside the top 10 before a fast lap with 10 minutes to go before improving to set a remarkable 1:30.388 on the Pramac rider’s final run. Bagnaia tried to fight back late, after briefly occupying the top spot with 20 minutes to go. However, Martin’s final sector was too good to match, leaving the reigning World Champion in second with Acosta finding time in the last 10 minutes of the day to jump to third on the #31’s first time at Le Mans on a MotoGP bike.
Martin is out for revenge after throwing away the Spanish GP win.
In fourth after another cracking day was Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Viñales, who was a mere 0.269s from the top spot at the end of the opening day of action at the French GP. The Americas GP winner was ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing) in sixth who had a positive Friday after putting a fresh soft rear tire in his final run.
Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was sixth after a strong finish to the day – setting a 1:30.699. However, it was not smooth sailing for Miller after saving a crash after running through the gravel at turn two. However at the other side of the box, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a tough day crashing for the third time on Friday, ending the day outside of the Q2 spots.
Bagnaia ran Martin close but couldn’t topple the Spaniard.
Aleix Espargaro ended a strong day for the Aprilia Racing squad, finishing the day in seventh, after briefly claiming the top spot. Behind Espargaro in eighth position after a great day was Prima Pramac Racing’s Franco Morbidelli who earned direct entry into Q2 on Saturday after finding late time late in the session.
Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing) was ninth clinching a Q2 spot and just 0.397 away from the top spot in the highly competitive field. And to the delight of the French crowd, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) took the final spot inside the top 10 by 0.010s, leaving some huge names to battle in Q1.
Pedro Acosta again showed his incredible rookie speed with third on Friday.
Most notably Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) is now forced to go through Q1 on Saturday after ending the day in 13th. Marc Marquez had a crash in the opening stage of the session, remounting and then began to push in the last 10 minutes – unable to piece together a lap good enough for the top 10. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) will join his brother in Q1 tomorrow, after spending most of Practice outside the top 10 – crossing the line to end the day in 19th.
Binder and Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) will also prepare for a Q1 appearance on Saturday, hoping to join their teammates in Q2. Further down the order, the French crowd will also be cheering on Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), who was 20th with work to do to improve.
2024 French MotoGP Results—Friday MotoGP
| 1 |
Jorge Martin |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
1:30.388 |
| 2 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Ducati Lenovo Team) |
+0.145 |
| 3 |
Pedro Acosta |
(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) |
+0.187 |
| 4 |
Maverick Viñales |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+0.269 |
| 5 |
Fabio Di Giannantonio |
(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing) |
+0.295 |
| 6 |
Jack Miller |
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) |
+0.311 |
| 7 |
Aleix Espargaro |
(Aprilia Racing) |
+0.326 |
| 8 |
Franco Morbidelli |
(Prima Pramac Racing) |
+0.375 |
| 9 |
Marco Bezzecchi |
(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) |
+0.397 |
| 10 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) |
+0.400 |
Friday Moto2
It was an exciting Friday afternoon in Moto2™ with many key contenders beginning to show their true pace at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France. In what continues to be one of the most unpredictable Moto2™ seasons yet, Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) adds another chapter to the story and ends Friday on top at the French GP. The #3 claimed a new lap record at Le Mans, setting a spectacular 1:35.473 in the last five minutes of the session. Alonso Lopez (Folladore SpeedUp) was second after losing the front at the end of the session while on a fast lap, rider ok. However, third place went the way of Folladore SpeedUp’s Fermin Aldeguer, who found time on a last fast lap to rocket up the order.
P1 and a new Moto2 lap record for Sergio Garcia.
It was an eventful session for some with lap times flooding in early on, Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) crashed after looking strong on Friday morning. Dixon ended the session in 20th, with work to do in Practice 2 on Saturday morning. Dennis Foggia (Italtrans Racing Team) had a fall of his own, with the Italian finishing the day in 22nd ahead of Pertamina Mandalika GAS UP Team’s replacement rider, Daniel Muñoz.
Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) continued to show great pace after returning to race at the French GP. Canet finished in front of Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), Jeremy Alcoba (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team), and Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), who rounded out the top 12 positions. OnlyFans American Racing Team’s Marcos Ramirez and Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s Filip Salac rounded out the top 14 – the latter crashing on Friday afternoon.
2024 French Moto2 Results—Friday Moto2
| 1 |
Sergio Garcia |
(MT Helmets – MSI) |
1:35.473 |
| 2 |
Alonso Lopez |
(Folladore SpeedUp) |
+0.076 |
| 3 |
Fermin Aldeguer |
(Folladore SpeedUp) |
+0.292 |
| 4 |
Manuel Gonzalez |
(QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) |
+0.307 |
| 5 |
Joe Roberts |
(OnlyFans American Racing Team) |
+0.310 |
| 6 |
Ai Ogura |
(MT Helmets – MSI) |
+0.369 |
| 7 |
Barry Baltus |
(RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) |
+0.550 |
| 8 |
Somkiat Chantra |
(IDEMISTU Honda Team Asia) |
+0.573 |
| 9 |
Aron Canet |
(Fantic Racing) |
+0.671 |
| 10 |
Tony Arbolino |
(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) |
+0.711 |
Friday Moto3
It was a quick afternoon for the Moto3™ field at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France with CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team’s David Alonso continuing to mark his ground in Le Mans. The Colombian smashed the lap record for the second time on Friday, setting a remarkable 1:40.470. The #80 was ahead of fellow teammate Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), who was the only other rider inside the 1:40 bracket – 0.480s adrift from Alonso. In third place after briefly snatching the top spot with 10 minutes remaining was Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) – continuing to look like a race contender.
David Alonso was miles in front in Moto3.
It was a dramatic session throughout with riders pushing to the absolute limit as the top spot changed hands multiple times between Alonso, Esteban, and Holgado. However, further down the field David Almansa (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team) crashed at turn three early in the session before both MLav Racing machines would soon hit the deck as Scott Ogden and Josh Whatley both crashed at turn six, riders ok.
Returning to racing this weekend was Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), ending Friday in fourth position after a good start to the French GP. The Spaniard was a mere 0.014s faster than Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), who rounded out the top five and suffered a crash in the closing stages of the session at turn 13. Having yet another strong weekend was CIP Green Power’s Riccardo Rossi who leaped to sixth in the timesheets. Tatsuki Suzuki rounded off a great day for the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP team, ending Friday in a brilliant seventh ahead of Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing). The #36 crashed his Leopard machine on a fast lap at the end of the session, finishing in eighth.
Further down the order was BOE Motorsports’ Joel Kelso after setting a strong 1:41.356 early in the session before losing the front at turn six. Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) worked with Holgado on track to round out the top 10 ahead of Ryusei Yamanaka. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) was 12th after crashing at turn start of Practice 1. The Spaniard was ahead of Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) who took the final spots in Q2.
2024 French Moto3 Results—Friday Moto3
| 1 |
David Alonso |
(CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) |
1:40.470 |
| 2 |
Joel Esteban |
(CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) |
+0.480 |
| 3 |
Daniel Holgado |
(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) |
+0.586 |
| 4 |
Jose Antonio Rueda |
(Red Bull KTM Ajo) |
+0.731 |
| 5 |
Collin Veijer |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+0.833 |
| 6 |
Riccardo Rossi |
(CIP Green Power) |
+0.840 |
| 7 |
Tatsuki Suzuki |
(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) |
+0.869 |
| 8 |
Angel Piqueras |
(Leopard Racing) |
+0.886 |
| 9 |
Joel Kelso |
(BOE Motorsports) |
+0.983 |
| 10 |
Jacob Roulstone |
(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) |
+1.051 |
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