MotoGP French GP: Jorge Martin Takes First Grand Prix Win with Aprilia

Jorge Martin returned to the top step at the French GP after a strong comeback ride to secure victory for Aprilia at Circuit Bugatti. The Spaniard finished just 0.477 seconds ahead of team-mate Marco Bezzecchi, while Ai Ogura completed a memorable result in third place as Aprilia locked out the entire MotoGP podium for the first time. It was also Martin’s first Sunday Grand Prix win since Indonesia in 2024 and an important result in the championship battle.

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Bezzecchi made the perfect start from the front row and quickly moved into the race lead at Le Mans. Behind him, Francesco Bagnaia recovered well from the opening laps and climbed into second place after overtaking Pedro Acosta at the Dunlop chicane. Fabio Quartararo also looked competitive early on as the French rider stayed with the front group on his factory Yamaha.

Martin had a much tougher start compared to the riders ahead of him and dropped down the order during the opening laps. At one stage, the Aprilia rider was running seventh and appeared to be losing touch with the leaders. With Bezzecchi and Bagnaia controlling the pace at the front, Martin’s chances of fighting for victory looked difficult as the race settled into rhythm around the Bugatti circuit.

Bagnaia soon started reducing the gap to Bezzecchi and looked ready to challenge for the lead as the Ducati rider matched the pace at the front. However, the race changed completely when Bagnaia crashed out at the Dunlop section while running second. The incident ended Ducati’s hopes of victory and also brought Martin straight back into contention for the win during the final phase of the race.

After moving into third place, Martin quickly started gaining ground on the leaders and soon passed Acosta to move into second. The Spaniard then began chasing down Bezzecchi, who still held a healthy advantage at the front. Lap after lap, Martin steadily reduced the gap as the Aprilia rider looked more comfortable and confident in the closing stages of the French Grand Prix at Le Mans.

Martin finally made his move for the lead on lap 25 at the Dunlop corner after closing right onto the rear wheel of Bezzecchi. The Italian tried to respond but could not match the pace of his team-mate during the final laps. Martin stayed calm and controlled the race from the front to secure a big MotoGP victory and complete a landmark day for Aprilia in the premier class.

Ogura also impressed with a clean and consistent ride from eighth on the grid to third place at Le Mans. The Trackhouse Aprilia rider avoided mistakes and stayed competitive throughout the race to secure his first MotoGP podium finish. The result also made him the first Japanese rider to stand on a MotoGP podium since 2012, adding another important moment to Aprilia’s historic afternoon in France.

Fabio Di Giannantonio finished fourth after overtaking Acosta at the final corner on the last lap of the race. Quartararo crossed the line in sixth place and secured his best Sunday result of the season in front of the home crowd. Enea Bastianini, Raul Fernandez, Fermin Aldeguer and Luca Marini completed the top 10 finishers.

Reigning champion Marc Marquez missed the French GP after suffering a fractured right foot during Saturday’s sprint race crash and is also expected to miss the Catalunya round after surgery. Maverick Vinales remained absent due to shoulder surgery, while replacement rider Jonas Folger finished 16th on his return to MotoGP.

The MotoGP championship battle now heads to the Catalan Grand Prix with only one point separating Martin and Bezzecchi in the standings.