MotoGP Grand Prix France – Johann Zarco creates history at Le Mans ahead of Marc Marquez as Bagnaia and Quartararo crash in mixed conditions

Johann Zarco is a Grand Prix winner once again, securing his first victory with LCR Honda and his first at the French GP after charging to win by 19.907s. It is a historic day, with the #5 becoming the first French rider to win their home Grand Prix since 1954.

It was a crucial day for Marc Marquez, with the #93 bringing home second position as Ducati’s 22 Grand Prix win streak came to an end. Meanwhile, Fermin Aldeguer secured his first Grand Prix podium, completing a dream weekend after claiming P3 in the Sprint race on Saturday.

There was drama from start to finish, with rain pre-race meaning that the Grand Prix was initially red-flagged following the entire field entering the pits on the sighting lap. Once the Grand Prix started, a handful of riders received a long lap penalty for making a late change of tyres on the second sighting lap during the restart.

Meanwhile, it is a tough weekend for Francesco Bagnaia, who, after suffering a crash on the opening lap, finished down in P16 – outside of the points. Alex Marquez would suffer two crashes throughout the Grand Prix, with the latter incident ending his race in a day which would see just 16 finishers.

After an unforgettable Sunday, teams and riders will now prepare to head to Silverstone for the iconic British GP!

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Michael Laverty gave his immediate thoughts following the French GP, describing Zarco’s win as a fairytale!

"Today, it was the magic of Le Mans, it brought out the brilliance of Johann Zarco and the fairytale was written; it had to happen with the record crowd and the weather."

After crashing out of the lead battle in the opening stages, Fabio Quartararo gave his reflections after a tough Sunday at Le Mans.

"I think that it was tricky conditions, we gave it our best, but unfortunately, we crashed at the final corner, which I did not really expect. Many riders also crashed in this corner, and unfortunately, it is like that."

The French national anthem was still able to sound on the podium, with Quartararo congratulating Zarco after his victory.

"Congratulations to him, you can already hear the crowd singing, so congratulations to him and also his family"

Speaking after securing second position, Marc Marquez gave his immediate thoughts after a tricky French GP.

"Crazy race, especially the first part of the race, which was crazy! Honestly speaking, with these rules, it is now clearer what you need to do.

"I copied my main opponent for the world championship, which was my brother Alex. When I saw that he went in, I just followed him.

"For me, it was the correct strategy, but Johann was just faster. You saw when it was wet, he was eight seconds ahead of me. I pushed two laps and saw that he was faster and even increased the gap.

"I just tried to control Alex, but unfortunately, he crashed. But yeah, I am happy because it is this kind of Sunday where you can lose a lot of points."

Johann Zarco is beginning to soak up the atmosphere at Le Mans, celebrating victory with his iconic backflip celebration. Speaking post-race, Zarco said:

"It is hard to believe, I still don’t understand what is happening. The last laps were very long, and I need some time, but it is just magic.

"With the rain tyres in the beginning, we had to control as I didn’t want to burn my rear tyre, then more rain came."

Marc Marquez continues to lead the world championship after the French GP, extending his margin after a crash from Alex Marquez and no points for Bagnaia.

HISTORY IS MADE IN FRANCE! Johann Zarco is now a FRENCH GP WINNER! After an incredible ride, battling from nearly the back of the field after a tough opening lap, Zarco has won by 20 seconds and becomes the first French MotoGP rider to win their home GP since 1954..

Zarco wins from Marc Marquez in second, with Fermin Aldeguer claiming a late third podium – claiming his first podium on a Sunday.

We are on the FINAL lap of the French Grand Prix, Johann Zarco is just moments away from winning his second MotoGP race and his first on a Honda!

However, there are still plenty of battles further down the order, with Aldeguer and Acosta now fighting for the final spot on the podium at Le Mans.

Johann Zarco is just three laps away from victory at his home Grand Prix, with the #5 now extending his margin to 18 seconds.

Meanwhile, Alex Marquez has suffered his second crash of the Grand Prix, this time at Turn 11, and it looks like his race is over!

Alex Marquez has now crashed at Turn 3, losing the rear on the entry to the corner, dropping the #73 down to P6. Alex Marquez now looks to salvage points in this race, which will be crucial for his championship challenge this season.

This crash has promoted Pedro Acosta into the podium positions, with the #37 now in P3.

Aldeguer is continuing to make inroads, closing the gap on Vinales now as the rookie looks to enter the top five positions, soon making the move stick on Lap 20. Meanwhile, Oliveira has crashed now, high-siding out of the final corner, bringing an end to his Grand Prix hopes.

Zarco has now lapped Bezzecchi, who is outside of the point scoring positions following his crash earlier in the Grand Prix. The #5’s pace looked to have slowed ever so slightly but his gap remains 12 seconds. At the pit wall, the LCR Honda squad are telling Zarco to stay calm as the rain increases once more.

Aldeguer has now made his move on Miguel Oliveira, with the #88 now demoted to seventh place.

The Frenchman’s lead is now over 10 seconds, sending the packed crowd to their feet at every circulation. Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez remain in the podium positions with over two seconds separating them.

Now, Vinales is beginning to duel with Oliveira, passing the #88 with an incredible move at Turn 3 to enter fifth position.

Zarco has a nine-second lead over Marc Marquez at the moment, with the paddock’s eyes now glued to the timing screen. Further back, Acosta is on the move, latching onto the back of Oliveira before overtaking the #88 at Turn 3.

Meanwhile, things have gone from bad to worse for Bastianini, receiving a long lap penalty after speeding in the pits.

At his home Grand Prix, Johann Zarco is the rider in P1 at Le Mans after braving out the opening laps on wet tyres. Miguel Oliveria remains in second position, with Marc Marquez now completing the podium. Alex Marquez now sits in fourth with Acosta narrowly ahead of Vinales and Aldeguer.

Miller and Bezzecchi have also crashed in the tricky wet conditions, ending what has been a very challenging Grand Prix.

Fermin Aldeguer remains in the lead of this Grand Prix, continuing on track with slick tyres. Meanwhile, both Marc and Alex Marquez have returned to swap back to wet tyres, soon followed by Raul Fernandez and Bagnaia.

There have been further crashes from Bastianini and Binder again, this time with the #33 crashing at Turn 2.

The first riders to swap back to the wet compound are in! Acosta and Vinales are both in the pit lane to swap tyres. At the front, Marc Marquez leads from Alex Marquez as they start to take their long lap penalties.

Fabio Quartararo leapt back into P2, looking for a move on Marc Marquez. However, at the final corner, the #20 has crashed, soon followed by Brad Binder behind. Conditions are treacherous in France.

Now the penalties are in! Fabio Quartararo has served his first long lap on Lap 3 and now is charging through the field. The riders will have three laps to serve each penalty once it is displayed on their dash.