Marco Bezzecchi
MotoGP returns to the historic Le Mans this weekend for the 2026 French Grand Prix, so our expert writers have given their predictions – including who will win both races.
Le Mans has held MotoGP’s visits to France each year since 2000 on the legendary Bugatti Circuit at the Circuit de la Sarthe. It is always one of the best-attended and most loved races on the calendar, and it was even a historic affair last year as home hero Johann Zarco won.
Zarco won a chaotic rain-affected French GP in 2025, as the LCR Honda racer became the first Frenchman to win their home race in 71 years and the first Frenchman to ever do so at Le Mans. His victory also marked the first Grand Prix win by a Honda rider in 43 Grands Prix.
Uncertainty over the weather at the 2025 French GP saw some riders, including Ducati rider Marc Marquez, mistakenly gamble on starting the race with slick tyres. Zarco was one of the riders to trust the forecast and start on wet tyres, which ultimately saw him win by 19.907s.
The weather could have a big say on who wins the 2026 French GP, as well, as the forecast for this week’s race carries a major threat of rain (and even potentially thunderstorms). With that in mind, MotoGP News’ expert team of writers give their predictions for the French GP.
Who is going to win the French Grand Prix?
Which rider will score pole position for the 2026 MotoGP French Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – Jorge Martin: “It is surely a matter of time before Jorge Martin scores his first pole for Aprilia. And as Martin has performed well at Le Mans in the past, there is no reason why his first pole for the Noale crew cannot come at the 2026 French Grand Prix. Martin got pole on his last visit to Le Mans in 2024, when he even won the Sprint and the French GP.”
David Comerford – Jorge Martin: “It is going to be extremely close, but I think Jorge Martin will tick off another milestone with Aprilia by taking his first pole with the team.”
Ashley Hambly – Marc Marquez: “Ducati rider Marc Marquez will get a second consecutive pole in 2026 at Le Mans this week. Setting the timesheets alight on Saturday morning will seriously aid his confidence heading into the ensuing races, and he needs all he can get.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Marc Marquez: “This really does feel like it’s close to crunch time for Marc Marquez. He needs to deliver a strong weekend at Le Mans, and I’m backing him to do that with pole position.”
Aaditya Krishnamurthy – Jorge Martin: “Aprilia’s Jorge Martin didn’t have the best weekend out at Jerez. And with teammate Marco Bezzecchi increasing the gap between the two in the riders’ championship standings, Martin will come into the weekend motivated to close the gap, and that starts with him securing pole at Le Mans.”
Who will win the Le Mans Sprint at the 2026 French Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – Jorge Martin: “Even if Jorge Martin fails to get pole for the 2026 French GP, the Spaniard can win the Sprint Race if he starts in the top six at Le Mans. Martin is the joint-most successful rider in Sprint Races in MotoGP history with 17 victories so far, of which the Spaniard scored two at Le Mans – coming in 2023 (for his first ever Sprint win) and in 2024.”
David Comerford – Jorge Martin: “I think if Jorge Martin does get pole, he should be able to hang on to win the Sprint. His Aprilia teammate, Marco Bezzecchi, just needs to start scoring solid points on Saturdays!”
Ashley Hambly – Marc Marquez: “I’m going to predict that Marc Marquez will continue his impressive form in the shorter format to claim a third Sprint win this season. He hasn’t lost an ounce of his skill, it’s purely endurance. If he can stay on his bike, then it’s his to lose.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Marc Marquez: “Ducati rider Marc Marquez continues to be a force on Saturdays this season, even though he is lacking on Sundays in 2026. I expect Marquez to cruise to victory in the Sprint, and give him some much-needed confidence for the race.”
Aaditya Krishnamurthy – Francesco Bagnaia: “Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia did really well in the Sprint at COTA. And while the result didn’t go his way during the Jerez Sprint, I expect the Italian to want to compensate for his poor weekend in Spain with a strong win during the French Sprint.”
Which rider would benefit the most from a wet French GP? ⛈️
Bad weather is forecast all weekend at Le Mans
Which rider will win the 2026 MotoGP French Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – Marc Marquez: “Ducati have yet to see the best version of Marc Marquez in a Grand Prix during the 2026 MotoGP season thanks to his ongoing shoulder injury and issues adapting to the GP26. But Marquez felt more comfortable with the GP26 after the Jerez test, especially with the front end, which could see him win the French Grand Prix this weekend.”
David Comerford – Marc Marquez: “I have predicted Marc Marquez to win every race without success so far, but the early forecast suggests Sunday will be wet, and it’s difficult to go against him after the performance that he delivered in the wet Sprint Race at Jerez.”
Ashley Hambly – Jorge Martin: “Aprilia’s Jorge Martin will take his first Grand Prix victory since his title-winning 2024 campaign this week in France. The Spaniard has been up there in all four rounds so far this season, but he’s still after his first win in the longer race format. Hopefully, his cool-down lap is a lot more muted than we saw after the Sprint in Austin!”
Tyler Rowlinson – Jorge Martin: “Le Mans has seen seven different winners in the last seven years, but that streak ends in 2026 with Jorge Martin. That first Grand Prix win with Aprilia is coming, and I think he’ll be up for this and ready to stamp his authority against teammate Marco Bezzecchi in the title race.”
Aaditya Krishnamurthy – Jorge Martin: “I feel Jorge Martin securing pole for the French GP will give him exactly what he needs to go on to win the race. He’s going to give it his all to fend off Marco Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez, both of whom will be eager to win the race.”
Who will be on the 2026 French Grand Prix podium at Le Mans?
Kyle Archer – Marquez, Bezzecchi, Acosta: “Every Grand Prix podium so far in 2026 has had two different constructors make up the rostrum positions. But Le Mans could return the first race with three different constructors on the podium, with Ducati, Aprilia and KTM all in the mix at the French GP. Aprilia star Marco Bezzecchi is almost certain to be in the fight, if he avoids any incidents, and KTM’s Pedro Acosta will want to hit back after his P10 at Jerez.”
David Comerford – Marquez, Bezzecchi, Zarco: “Assuming that the French Grand Prix will be wet, I am going to say Johann Zarco can score another podium on home soil. He always seems to be up there in those conditions.”
Ashley Hambly – Martin, Bezzecchi, Marquez: “I think Marco Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez will join Jorge Martin on the podium at Le Mans. The Ducati ace will still be among the front-runners in France this weekend, but I just question whether he can remain on the limit for the entirety of a Grand Prix at this stage.”
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Tyler Rowlinson – Martin, Marquez, Ogura: “Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez will produce a strong battle at the front. Marquez will also end his podium drought, but he’ll have to wait a bit longer for his first win of the season. I’m also backing Ai Ogura to free himself from his demons and grab that maiden MotoGP podium that has cruelly escaped him.”
Aaditya Krishnamurthy – Martin, Bezzecchi, Bagnaia: “Marco Bezzecchi and Francesco Bagnaia will join Jorge Martin on the Le Mans podium. I don’t expect Marc Marquez’s form to turn around, and Bezzecchi and Bagnaia are riders I just can’t ignore as competing for a top-three finish.”
Which rider will be the biggest surprise at the 2026 MotoGP French Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – Brad Binder: “At a time when his MotoGP career may be on the line, KTM ace Brad Binder has not enjoyed a great start to the 2026 season. The South African can start to turn a corner in France, however, especially if he qualifies well. Binder finished second in the 2023 Le Mans Sprint from P10 on the grid and sealed P8 in the 2024 French GP from P22 on the grid. Binder also had a chance to win the 2025 French GP before he crashed in the rain.”
David Comerford – Fermin Aldeguer: “Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer has gone under the radar this season, but his results have been solid given the severity of the injury he suffered in the winter. Aldeguer scored his first MotoGP podium at Le Mans last year, and I think we could see him in the top five this Sunday.”
Ashley Hambly – Diogo Moreira: “Rookie Diogo Moreira could potentially channel some of LCR’s magic from last year at Le Mans to claim a good haul of points this weekend. A first top-10 finish in MotoGP could be on the cards for the Brazilian.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Johann Zarco: “It seems odd to predict last year’s French GP winner as the ‘surprise’ in 2026. But the truth is Johann Zarco had not been anywhere in 2026 until very recently at Jerez. With the home crowd behind him, Honda could have another strong weekend through the LCR rider, and another magical result might be on the cards.”
Aaditya Krishnamurthy – Fabio Quartararo: “I know Yamaha have their issues (as Fabio Quartararo wants the world to know), but the motivation for a French rider at an iconic track like Le Mans will be through the roof. Even if it is for one weekend, I expect Quartararo to get the most out of his bike and deliver his strongest performance this season.”
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