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Spaniard excels in French GP at Le Mans as Acosta claims fifth for Red Bull KTM on Sunday.
2024 MotoGP world champion Jorge Martín claimed his maiden victory on the Aprilia bike as he led home a 1-2-3 for the manufacturer in Sunday’s French GP at the famous Le Mans track, the Spaniard now just one point behind title leader Marco Bezzecchi. Here is all you need to know:
– After missing most of 2025 through injury following his first world title, Martín came out strong in the first four 2026 races to bank two second places and two fourth places behind the Italian.
– This time around, Martín roared ahead from eighth on the grid in Saturday’s Sprint Race to take victory and eat into Bezzecchi’s title lead as he was third behind his compatriot Francesco Bagnaia.
– Martín did not have the same electric start on Sunday, however he bided his time as Aprilia team-mate Bezzecchi led the way early on with polesitter Bagnaia getting amongst the action too.
– After Bagnaia crashed out at Dunlop on lap 16, Martín moved up to third place and then got the better of fellow Spaniard Pedro Acosta two laps later to begin his pursuit of Bezzecchi up front.
– The Italian’s lead was just 0.8s at the start of lap 21 and, by lap 25 of 27, Martín finally took the lead and the well deserved win – his first MotoGP Sunday victory since Indonesia in 2024.
– With Bezzecchi second and Japan’s Ai Ogura third for his first MotoGP podium, the 28-year-old said: “I am happy that Aprilia is continuing their growth and amazing how fast we are improving every day. Today we are first, second and third. This is really good motivation for the next races.”
– Acosta was fifth for Red Bull KTM, Italian Enea Bastianini seventh, Frenchman Johann Zarco 11th, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu 13th on a Yamaha as Brad Binder, Diogo Moreira and Álex Márquez all failed to finish.
French GP result
1. Jorge Martín SPA Aprilia Racing 41m 18.001s
2. Marco Bezzecchi ITA Aprilia Racing +0.477s
3. Ai Ogura JPN Trackhouse Aprilia +0.874s
4. Fabio Di Giannantonio ITA Pertamina VR46 Ducati +2.851s
5. Pedro Acosta SPA Red Bull KTM +2.991s
2026 MotoGP rider standings
1. Marco Bezzecchi ITA Aprilia Racing 128 points
2. Jorge Martín SPA Aprilia Racing 127
3. Fabio di Giannantonio ITA Pertamina VR46 Ducati 84
4. Pedro Acosta SPA Red Bull KTM 83
5. Ai Ogura JPN Trackhouse Aprilia 67
