MotoGP: French Grand Prix: Who was where

May 15, 2022 May 15, 2022

Round seven of the MotoGP championship took place at the historic Le Mans Circuit. But would a French rider stand on the top step of the podium of the French Grand Prix.

Gresini Racing MotoGP:

Enea Bastianini:

The Italian rider looks set to be promoted to Pramac or Lenovo Ducati after the French Grand Prix. The now three time MotoGP race winner increased his tally in Le Mans. After taking control of the race late on there was no looking back for ‘The Beast’. Bastianini is the top Ducati in the championship in third place.

Fabio Di Giannantonio:

The rookie Italian has scored his first points of the year as he put together a solid weekend at Le Mans. After finishing 13th in the French Grand Prix it shows that Di Giannantonio is slowly but surely improving in MotoGP.

Ducati Lenovo Team:

Jack Miller:

The Australian rider looked like he could repeat his French Grand Prix victory from 2021. However, he fell one place too short as he crossed the line in second place. Miller put in a strong result to try and secure his seat at factory Ducati.

Francesco Bagnaia:

The Italian rider qualified on pole for the French Grand Prix. Bagnaia secured the lead of the race and looked untouchable. However, disaster struck as the championship hopeful found himself rolling through the gravel at the penultimate corner.

Aprilia Racing:

Aleix Espargaro:

Yet again the number one at Aprilia delivers another great result for the Noale manufacturer. The Spaniard put in a heroic effort to hold off the French fans favourite as he secured another podium. This is Aleix Espargaro’s third podium in a row, the first time in his career he has had this level of consistency.

Maverick Vinales:

Maverick Vinales once again had an awful start to his race. However, this time he managed to build momentum and secured a top ten finish. Vinales crossed the line in tenth, which appears to be around his maximum so far with Aprilia.

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP:

Fabio Quartararo:

The French hero and champion started fourth and fans were hopeful for a French winner. However, Quartararo did not deliver for the fans as all he could manage was a fourth place finish. The good thing for Quartararo is that he is still the best Yamaha rider by far.

Franco Morbidelli:

The Italian rider only managed one point in the French Grand Prix. Morbidelli is still struggling in the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team. To be 17th in the standings after seven races means that Morbidelli has had a very poor start to 2022.

Pramac Racing:

Johann Zarco:

Another home hero is Johann Zarco. This French rider also failed to get a podium in his home race. However, Zarco delivered a good result at Le Mans as he finished fifth place and delivered a solid result for himself and the team.

Jorge Martin:

I now believe that any beliefs that Martin should ride for factory Ducati in 2023 should be ended. Martin has now crashed out of the last three races as a Pramac rider. The Spaniard is a good rider but Ducati should not promote him yet.

Repsol Honda Team:

Marc Marquez:

Honda once again missed out on the top ten once again as their top rider, Marc Marquez, only finished sixth. The Spaniard is still improving but he is on his way back to the top. This is a slower start to the season for Marquez as he is 10th in the championship.

Pol Espargaro:

The other Spaniard finished 11th place in France, which is not a good result for a Repsol Honda rider. There is a strong chance that Espargaro will not keep his ride at the factory Honda team for 2023.

LCR Honda:

Takaaki Nakagami:

The Japanese rider had a very strong showing at Le Mans. Nakagami needs to put these results in more regularly if he wants to stay in MotoGP. Nakagami is now 14th in the championship and needs to improve.

Alex Marquez:

The Spaniard once again had a very poor showing at Le Mans. Alex Marquez could only manage a 14th place finish at the French Grand Prix. I would be very surprised if he stays in MotoGP for 2023.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing:

Brad Binder:

The South African had a good showing in KTM. In the early laps he lost the left wing on his bike. Binder managed to fight through the field and secured a very solid eighth place finish. Eighth place in Le Mans is equal to his eighth place in the championship.

Miguel Oliveira:

The Portuguese rider has returned to his crashing ways in the French Grand Prix. Oliveira looked like he could secure a top ten finish at Le Mans. However, he did not finish the race as rumours of a KTM exit continue

Mooney VR46 Racing Team:

Luca Marini:

The Italian rider outperformed his teammate today in a solid showing. Marini finished in the top ten as he secured a ninth place finish at Le Mans. This is the best showing we have seen from Marini this season and is now 16th in the championship.

Marco Bezzecchi:

The other Italian rider missed out on a top ten result by a few positions as he finished in 12th place at Le Mans. Bezzecchi has had a solid rookie season in MotoGP as he is 18th place in the championship.

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team:

Andrea Dovizioso:

The veteran Italian rider continues to struggle this season in the satellite Yamaha squad as he exchanges a war of words with his team boss. A 16th place finish around Le Mans is not what ‘The Professor’ would have wanted.

Darryn Binder:

The rookie South African rider also continues to struggle in his debut season with the satellite Yamaha squad. All Binder could manage around Le Mans was a 17th place finish as he was 21 seconds behind his teammate.

Tech3 KTM Factory Racing:

Remy Gardner:

The Australian rider had a horrific time at Le Mans and will want to get to Mugello as soon as possible. Gardner did not finish the French Grand Prix as he crashed out of the race.

Raul Fernandez:

The Spaniard is the only full time MotoGP rider who has not scored a point in a MotoGP race yet. Another crash at Le Mans did not help out his rookie campaign.

Team Suzuki Ecstar:

Alex Rins:

The Spaniard has held his fourth place in the championship even though he managed to crash out early on.

Joan Mir:

Both Suzuki riders crashed out of the French Grand Prix as Mir also hit the deck. Both riders were running towards the front but could not finish the race.