Category: Motorcycling

A strong ride from Jorge Martin saw him triumph in the Sprint race at the French Grand Prix, whilst title rival Pecco Bagnaia suffered a mechanical and didn’t finish the race.

Elsewhere Marc Marquez made a brilliant recovery from 13th to find himself on the second step of the podium, with Maverick Vinales secured third place.

On a great run for most of the race it was heartbreak for Marca Bezzecchi crashed out and lost his podium place while rising star Pedro Acosta rose through the pack to secure a solid sixth.

The result means that Martin, who has looked quick the entire weekend, is now 28 points clear at the top of the standings whilst Bagnaia has actually dropped to third behind compatriot Enea Bastianini.

The riders will now prepare for Sunday’s full race with the rest of the pack looking to try and find a way to put pressure on Martin and stop his strong start to the season.

In what could be the only dry race of the season, riders endured the French sun and low winds around the curves of Le Mans.

Pole-sitter Martin clung onto his position from start to finish, while Bagnaia fell to the bottom of the grid after a suspected mechanical issue from his qualifying crash hindered his performance.

Marquez climbed from his disastrous qualifying place to fourth in the first lap, snatching the fourth position from Vinales going into the second lap.

Yamaha rider Alex Rins crashed at Turn 8, falling victim to the gravel traps while a battle up front between Pedro Acosta and Fabio di Giannantonio ensued for the last five laps.

Acosta targeted di Giannantonio in the hunt for sixth, swapping positions around the tricky circuit until Acosta cemented himself in sixth as di Giannantonio conceded around Turn 5.

Inheriting second place from Bagnaia after his retirement from the race, Marco Bezzecchi was challenging the race leader and holding off Marquez until he also crashed in the final three laps.

Bezzecchi rode too deep around the flat curve at Turn 9, gifting his position to Marquez as he recovered from his poor starting position.

Closing the gap on Vinales, Bastianini inched towards the Aprilia in third but the Aprilia was the only bike able to challenge the power of Ducati so far this weekend.

With weather predicted to change tomorrow, the riders will be up for a new challenge around Le Mans as temperatures are expected to drop and rain is on the way.