MotoGP returns to historic Le Mans this weekend for the 2026 French Grand Prix, so our expert writers have made their predictions – including who will win both races.
Le Mans has made MotoGP visits to France every year since 2000 at the famous Bugatti circuit at the Circuit de la Sarthe. It is always one of the most attended and most loved competitions in the calendar, and last year it was a historic affair even as a domestic hero. Johann Zarko They won.
Zarco won the rain-affected French GP in 2025The LCR Honda racer became the first Frenchman to win at home in 71 years and the first Frenchman to win at Le Mans. His win was the first Grand Prix win by a Honda rider in 43 Grands Prix.
In the year Uncertainty in the 2025 climate French GP He saw some riders, including a Ducati rider. Mark Marquezgambling on mistakenly starting the race with slippery tires. Zarco believed the forecast and was one of the drivers to start on wet tyres, which he eventually won with a 19.907.
The weather could have a big say in who wins the 2026 French GP, with the forecast for this week’s race calling for a big threat of rain (and even thunderstorms). With this in mind, MotoGP News professional team of writers Give your predictions for the French GP.
Who will win the French Grand Prix?
Which rider has secured pole position for the 2026 MotoGP French Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – George Martin; “It’s really just a matter of time. George Martin He scored the first pole for Aprilia. And with Martin having already performed well at Le Mans, there’s no reason why his first pole position for Noale’s team shouldn’t come at the 2026 French Grand Prix. Martin On his last visit to Le Mans in 2024, he won pole position in the sprint and the French GP.
David Comerford – George Martin; “It will be very close, but I think George Martin will take his first pole with the team and reach another great level with Aprilia.”
Ashley Hambly – Marc Marquez: “Ducati rider Marc Marquez will this week secure a second consecutive pole at Le Mans in 2026. Setting the timesheets on Saturday morning will help his confidence going into the next races and he will want everything he can get.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Marc Marquez: “It’s really 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 in pole position.”
Aditya Krishnamurthy – George Martin; “Aprilia’s Jorge Martin didn’t have the best weekend in Jerez, and so did his team-mate Marco Bezecchi Martin comes into the weekend motivated to close the gap on the riders’ championship standings, widening the gap between the two. That starts with pole setting at Le Mans.
Who will win the Le Mans Sprint at the 2026 French Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – George Martin: “Even if Jorge Martin fails to secure a French GP pole position for 2026, 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 wins to date, of which the Spaniard has scored two at Le Mans – the first in 2020 and 2023. He won.
David Comerford – George Martin “If Jorge Martin gets the pole, I think he should be able to go on to win the Sprint. His Aprilia team-mate, Marco Bezecchi, should start getting strong points on Saturday!”
Ashley Hamby – Marc Marquez “I can predict that Marc Marquez will continue his amazing form in the short format to win the sprint for the third time this season. He has not lost a cent of his skill, only his endurance. If he can stay on the bike, the defeat is his.”
Tyler Rowlinson – Mark Marquez “Ducati rider Marc Marquez will continue to be strong on Saturday this season, although he will miss Sunday in 2026. I expect Marquez to take victory in the sprint and give the race much-needed confidence.”
Aditya Krishnamurthy – Francesco Bagnaia: “Ducati Francesco Bagnaia He was very good in the Sprint at COTA. And while the result didn’t go his way during the Jerez sprint, I expect the Italian will be looking to make up for his poor weekend in Spain during the French sprint.
Which driver will benefit more from the wet French GP? ⛈️
Bad weather is forecast at Le Mans all weekend
Which rider will win the 2026 MotoGP French Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – Marc Marquez: “Ducati will not see the best version of Marc Marquez in the Grand Prix of the 2026 MotoGP season because of the ongoing shoulder injury and his adaptation to GP26. Marquez felt more comfortable in GP26 after the Jerez test.In particular, the front end could see him win the Grand Prix of France this weekend.
David Comerford – Marc Marquez “Marc Marquez has been predicted to win every race so far without success, but the early forecast suggests a wet Sunday and it’s hard to argue against him after his performance in the wet sprint at Jerez.
Ashley Hamby – George Martin “Aprilia’s Jorge Martin will take his first Grand Prix win after starting his 2024 title campaign this week in France. The Spaniard has played in all four rounds this season, but is still yet to take his first win in the longest running format. Hopefully, his frozen thigh is more muted than what we saw after the sprint in Austin!”
Tyler Rowlinson – George Martin “Le Mans has seen seven different winners in the last seven years but that ended with George Martin in 2026. That first Grand Prix win with Aprilia is coming, and I think he’ll be ready for that and stamp his authority on his race-mate Marco Bezecchi.”
Aditya Krishnamurthy – George Martin “I feel that Jorge Martin getting pole for the French GP will give him what he needs to win the race. He will do everything he can to beat Marco Bezecic and Marc Marquez.
Who will be on the podium at the 2026 French Grand Prix at Le Mans?
Kyle Archer – Marquez, Bezcicci, Acosta: In 2026, each Grand Prix stage will have two different constructors. But Le Mans could return the first race with three different constructors on the podium, with Ducati, Aprilia and KTM all joined at the French GP. Aprilia star Marco Bezecchi is sure to be in the fight, barring any danger from KTM. Pedro Acosta He wants to return after P10 in Jerez.
David Comerford – Marquez, Bezeci, Zarco “Assuming the French Grand Prix is going to be wet, I’d say Johan Zarco can score another podium on the field. He always seems to be in those conditions.
Ashley Hamby – Martin, Bezecchi, 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 can only ask if he can stay at the Grand Prix at this stage.”
The absence of Maverick Vinales continues at the French GP!
Has his quick return from a shoulder injury ruined his MotoGP career?
Tyler Rawlinson – Martin, Marquez, Ogura: “Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez will have a strong battle at the front. Marquez will also break his podium drought, but he will have to wait a little longer for his first win of the season. I also support him.” No. Ogura To free himself from his demons and capture that wildly missed maiden MotoGP podium.
Aditya Krishnamurthy – Martin, Bezechichi, Bagnaya: “Marco Bezecchi and Francesco Bagnaia will join Jorge Martin on the podium at Le Mans. I don’t expect Marc Marquez’s form to change, and Bezecchi and Bagnaia are riders who I can’t overlook to get into the top-three.”
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 could be on the line, the KTM ace Brad Binder I haven’t had a good start to the 2026 season. The South African could start to turn a corner in France if he performs particularly well. Binder finished second from P10 on the grid at the 2023 Le Mans Sprint and P8 from P22 on the grid at the 2024 French GP. Binder was in with a chance of winning the 2025 French GP before it was rained out.
David Comerford – Fermin Aldegarh: “The Gresini Fermin Aldeguer He has gone under the radar this season, but given the severity of his injuries this winter, his results have been solid. Aldegger scored his first MotoGP podium at Le Mans last year, and I think we could see him in the top five this Sunday.
Ashley Hamby – Diogo Moreira: “Rocky Diogo Moreira He could channel some of the LCR magic from last year at Le Mans to claim good points this weekend. A first top-10 finish in MotoGP could be on the cards for the Brazilian.
Tyler Rowlinson – Johan Zarco: “It seems strange to predict last year’s French GP winner as a “wonder” in 2026. The truth is, Yohan Zarco was nowhere to be found in Jerez in 2026 until recently. With the crowd behind him, Honda could have another strong weekend from the LCR rider side, and another magical result could be on the cards.”
Aditya Krishnamurthy – Fabio Quatararo: I know Yamaha have their issues (eg Fabio Quatararo (he wants the world to know) but inspiration for the French rider lies in an iconic track like Le Mans. Even for one weekend, I expect Quatararo to get the most out of his bike and deliver his strongest performance this season.
Receive competition news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
