Johann Zarco, LCR Honda, 2026 French MotoGP
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MotoGP France LIVE: Friday practice reaction at Le Mans

Live text coverage of Friday practice at the 2026 MotoGP French Grand Prix

KEY MOMENTS

Johann Zarco tops Practice, Marc Marquez in Q1
Ducati brings new aero, but Marquez on '25-spec
Luca Marini tops FP1

The fifth round of the 2026 MotoGP season takes place at the French Grand Prix and the iconic Le Mans Bugatti circuit.

Famous for its 24-hour endurance race, Le Mans welcomes back MotoGP to its Bugatti circuit, for an event that has seen record attendance in recent years.

Aprilia and Marco Bezzecchi come to the French Grand Prix leading the championship, after the Italian was second at the recent Spanish Grand Prix.

Bezzecchi has good memories from Le Mans, having won at the circuit in 2023 when he was with VR46 Ducati.

He leads the championship by 11 points from team-mate Jorge Martin, who is also a previous winner at Le Mans.

Ducati will be hoping for bigger things in France, after winning the Spanish Grand Prix with Alex Marquez. A good test on the Monday at Jerez has the Italian marque confident of being more competitive.

Marc Marquez will hope that rings true, after a crash at the Spanish Grand Prix further complicated his championship defence.

French fans will have their eyes fixed on the skies again, in the hopes that rain could open the door for another victory for Johann Zarco, following his triumph last year.

Maverick Vinales remains out for Tech3's home race, with Jonas Folger making a surprise return to action in his place.

2026 French MotoGP: Friday schedule

FP1: 9:45am BST - 10:30am BST

Practice: 2pm BSt-3pm BST

Lewis Duncan

08 May 2026

18:44

MotoGP title leader talks "tight" Le Mans

Marco Bezzecchi: “Only one way” to be fast at “tight” Le Mans MotoGP

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 French MotoGP.
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18:14

Zarco hopeful of strong result, wet or dry

The rain forecast for Sunday means Johann Zarco came into this weekend with some expectations, albeit weather dependent.

After topping Practice today, the Frenchman is sure that his potential is strong in dry conditions as well as in the rain, although he is aware of the importance of converting that speed into a good qualifying result tomorrow morning.

Full story here.

Johann Zarco, 2026 MotoGP French Grand Prix, pit box. Credit: Gold and Goose.
© Gold & Goose

18:13

Practice pace shows Q2 miss the least of Marc Marquez’s worries at French MotoGP

Marc Marquez’s failure to make it directly into Q2 on Friday at the MotoGP French Grand Prix grabbed headlines. But, as his stablemates show, a trip through Q1 is looking the least of his problems as his 2026 rut continues at Le Mans…

Analysis ✍️

Practice pace shows Q2 miss the least of Marc Marquez’s worries at French MotoGP

Marc Marquez, Ducati Corse, 2026 French MotoGP
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18:11

Pecco Bagnaia 3rd on day one at Le Mans

Pecco Bagnaia “much happier” despite Le Mans practice crash

Pecco Bagnaia, 2026 French MotoGP.
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17:35

Marc Marquez heads for the "worst" practice session of the weekend...

“Unlucky” Marc Marquez left in Qualifying 1 at Le Mans MotoGP

Marc Marquez, 2026 French MotoGP.
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15:59

Tech3 to wait for Vinales on 2027 decision

Maverick Vinales' injury problems are making his case for a 2027 MotoGP ride difficult to make at present, given he hasn't raced since Brazil.

The Tech3 team, though, is willing to wait until he returns from injury - which it expects will be at Mugello - to make its decision on 2027 riders.

Full story here.

Maverick Vinales, 2026 MotoGP Brazilian Grand Prix, pit box. Credit: Gold and Goose.
© Gold & Goose