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MotoGP FT1: Where does Folger stand?
Folger is lapping on the factory KTM for the first time in three years during an official MotoGP race weekend. After such a long absence, one cannot expect miracles from the German rider. Currently, he is in last place with 3.156 seconds behind – just under nine tenths behind rookie Razgatlioglu.
By the way, the latter is truly a rookie in Le Mans, as the three-time Superbike world champion has never raced on this track in any series.
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MotoGP FT1: Interim standings
After the first seven or eight laps, most riders make a pit stop. The leaderboard shows: Diggia is still in front. He has improved to 1:31.302 minutes. Mir is the new second, followed by Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, and Zarco. Acosta, Moreira, Marini, Alex Marquez, and Aldeguer complete the current top 10.
MotoGP FT1: Wing flies off
At Martin, a part of the rear aero comes off exiting turn 10. However, this does not seem to bother the Spaniard for the moment.
Some teams will bring their updates from the Jerez test during this training day – primarily various aero solutions – to the track to collect more data and evaluate whether it really is progress or not.
MotoGP FT1: The early order
Most riders started with the soft front tire and medium rear tire. For the moment, Di Giannantonio leads with 1:31.568 minutes ahead of Acosta and Marini. Bezzecchi and Quartararo follow behind. But it is still early in this training.
MotoGP FT1: Morbidelli has to wait
The first five minutes of the MotoGP training take place without Morbidelli. It is a penalty stemming from Q1 in Jerez, when the VR46 rider did not immediately leave the track due to a technical problem with his Ducati.
The rest of the field goes out for the first laps on the track. It remains dry and sunny, but with 18 degrees in the air, it is not too warm.
Moto2 FT1: Gonzalez at the top
World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez starts this race weekend with the best time. The IntactGP rider tops the first training with 1:34.740 minutes just ahead of Izan Guevara and Celestino Vietti, who despite a small off-track at turn 7 finishes third. Barry Baltus and Senna Agius round out the top 5.
Behind them are Daniel Holgado, Ivan Ortola, Tony Arbolino, Alonso Lopez, and Aron Canet. Filip Salac causes a highside in the Dunlop chicane but is okay.
– to the results
Moto3 FT1: Carpe with late best time
In the first training of the day under dry and sunny conditions, Alvaro Carpe sets the best time of 1:41.252 minutes narrowly ahead of David Almanda, who is only 0.059 seconds behind in second place. Adrian Fernandez is third, missing by just under three tenths.
David Munoz and Matteo Bertelle complete the top 5. Following are Joel Kelso, Hakim Danish, Maximo Quiles, Marco Morelli, and Brian Uriarte. Seventeen riders are within one second. There are no crashes.
– to the results
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Can Marc Marquez catch up in Le Mans?
Marc Marquez traveled to Le Mans with mixed feelings. After four race weekends, the 2025 MotoGP world champion is only fifth in the overall standings and is still waiting for his first Grand Prix win since Misano 2025.
Above all, the lack of consistency worries the Ducati star. “If we want to fight for the world championship, we have to correct a few things,” Marquez explains before the race weekend in France.
The biggest weakness the Spaniard currently sees is the lack of feeling for the front wheel of the Ducati GP26. Especially in fast left corners, he currently loses a lot of time. The Jerez test after the Spanish Grand Prix gives him hope, where Ducati made progress. Not only for this reason does Marquez still believe in a turnaround: “I have come back from more difficult situations.”
Jonas Folger celebrates his MotoGP comeback
Surprising comeback for Jonas Folger: More than 1,000 days after his last MotoGP appearance, the Upper Bavarian returns to the premier class at the French Grand Prix. The 32-year-old replaces the injured Maverick Vinales at Tech3 and openly admits: “I was not prepared at all.” The decision was made only shortly after a call from Mattighofen.
Folger sees the biggest challenge less in the motorcycle itself and more in the pace of the current MotoGP and the Michelin tires. “The pace and rhythm at this level will be the problem after so many years,” explains the 32-year-old, who was able to prepare in advance with test rides in Mugello.
Despite the long break, Folger raves about the first impression on the current KTM: The high-speed sections felt “like the first time on a MotoGP bike.” The focus is now mainly on gradually getting used to the premier class level again and enjoying the comeback in Le Mans.
The local heroes: Zarco and Quartararo
From a French perspective, hopes rest again on Johann Zarco and Fabio Quartararo. Zarco created a historic moment in 2025 with his home victory, as no Frenchman had won a MotoGP race in France since Pierre Monneret in 1954. Quartararo, in turn, is considered a qualifying specialist in Le Mans and has already been on pole there three times.
Le Mans: Eight different winners in eight years
The French Grand Prix is traditionally one of the most unpredictable races on the MotoGP calendar. Rain has often played a decisive role in Le Mans: Half of all modern-era MotoGP races have been influenced by changing conditions.
Marc Marquez could celebrate his 100th Grand Prix victory with a win and at the same time give Ducati the 100th MotoGP win for the factory team. With already three MotoGP wins, Marquez is also the currently most successful rider in Le Mans. If another rider wins, it would be the eighth different winner in the past eight years on this track.
Photo gallery: MotoGP France: Winners and podiums since 2010
Bonjour!
Two weeks after the Spanish Grand Prix, the MotoGP European tour continues. This weekend, the racing circus stops in Le Mans, France. And that immediately brings back memories of Johann Zarco’s magnificent home victory last year.
Will the Frenchman perform just as well this time? The foundation is laid today in the practice sessions. Because at the end of the day, as always, it’s about direct entry to Q2. We accompany every session in our live ticker as usual.
Friday schedule:
09:00-09:35 AM: Moto3 FT1
09:50-10:30 AM: Moto2 FT1
10:45-11:30 AM: MotoGP FT1
01:15-01:50 PM: Moto3 Practice
02:05-02:45 PM: Moto2 Practice
03:00-04:00 PM: MotoGP Practice
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