The schedule for the French MotoGP Grand Prix

After a tumultuous Spanish Grand Prix, the MotoGP lands in France. On the land of Johann Zarco and fabio quartararoThe 39^e The French Grand Prix, held at the Bugatti circuit in Le Mans, promises to be exhilarating. Since the very first edition won by the legendary Giacomo Agostini, the Sarthe circuit has hosted one of the most popular events of the season. With 311,797 participants last year, the French Grand Prix set an absolute record for the sport, a record that Claude Michy's team will aim to break again in 2026.

In 2025, Johann Zarco triumphed there after a monumental race won on a soaking wet track, while Fabio Quartararo retired from pole position. This season, rain could once again play a role, as it has in twelve of the last twenty-four modern-era races at Le Mans.

But repeating that feat in 2026 won't be easy for Johann Zarco. The exceptional performance by the Cannes native at the Ángel Nieto circuit has nonetheless fueled the hopes of French motorcycle fans. As for Fabio Quartararo, pole position seems out of reach aboard a Yamaha sorely lacking in performance.

For the two French riders on the grid, who will be competing in front of a largely supportive home crowd, as for the other competitors, the stakes are incredibly high at the French MotoGP Grand Prix. After a thrilling race in Jerez that saw Álex Márquez take the win ahead of Marco Bezzecchi, the duel between Aprilia and Ducati is wide open again. At Le Mans, Ducati must confirm the improved form found in Spain to hope to break a run of nine Grands Prix without a factory Ducati machine on the podium. Marc Márquez could therefore end this losing streak and, if he were to take the top step of the podium, finally secure his 100th career victory.

Note that KTM rider Maverick Viñales, still recovering from an operation, will hand over his machine to Jonas Folger, who already knows the Le Mans circuit.

ALSO READ > Before Johann Zarco, which French riders triumphed at Le Mans?

📊 The Bugatti circuit

© MotoGP

• First Grand Prix: 1969
• Number of laps: 27
• Length: 4,19 km
• Turns: 14 (9 right, 5 left)

🕒 Schedule and TV channels for the French Grand Prix (Bugatti circuit)

Thursday May 7: 
Pole Position Program: 19:00 AM (Canal+)

Friday May 8: 
Free Practice 1: 10:35 am (Canal+ Sport 360)
Tests: 14:50 am (Canal+ Sport 360)

Saturday May 9: 
Free Practice 2: 10:00 am (Canal+ Sport 360)
Qualifications: 10:45 am (Canal+ Sport 360)
Sprint: 15:00 am (Canal+ Sport 360)

Sunday May 10: 
Grand Prize: 14:00 AM (Canal+)

🏆The MotoGP World Championship standings before the French Grand Prix:

1) Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) – 101 pts
2) Jorge Martín (Aprilia) – 90 pts
3) Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati) – 71 pts
4) Pedro Acosta (KTM) – 66 pts
5) Marc Marquez (Ducati) – 57 pts
6) Raúl Fernández (Trackhouse Aprilia) – 54 pts
7) Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) – 53 pts
8) Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia) – 48 pts
9) Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) – 34 pts
10) Enea Bastianini (Tech3 KTM) – 30 pts
11) Brad Binder (KTM) – 28 pts
12) Luca Marini (Honda) – 27 pts
13) Franco Morbidelli (VR46 Ducati) – 25 pts
14) Johann Zarco (LCR Honda) – 24 pts
15) Fermín Aldeguer (Gresini Ducati) – 20 pts
16) Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) – 11 pts
17) Diogo Moreira (LCR Honda) – 9 pts
18) Joan Mir (Honda) – 4 pts
19) Alex Rins (Yamaha) – 3 pts
20) Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (Pramac Yamaha) – 1 pt
21) Jack Miller (Pramac Yamaha) – 0 pts
22) Maverick Viñales (Tech3 KTM) – 0 pts
23) Michele Pirro (Gresini Ducati) – 0 pts
24) Augusto Fernández (Yamaha) – 0 pts