Aprilia’s Martin wins French MotoGP sprint from eighth

9 May 2026 • 10:13 PM MYT
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Jorge Martin climbs from eighth to first, winning the French Grand Prix sprint to close in on championship leader Bezzecchi.

APRILIA’S Jorge Martin won the French Grand ⁠Prix sprint on Saturday despite starting eighth ​on the grid at ‌Le Mans to ​close in on teammate and championship leader Marco Bezzecchi in ​the standings.

Ducati’s polesitter Francesco Bagnaia finished ⁠second ‌while ​Bezzecchi came ​in third. Bagnaia’s teammate ​and reigning world champion Marc Marquez suffered a nasty crash on the final lap ‌and did not finish the race.

Martin’s victory, a record 18th sprint success for the 2024 champion, ⁠moved ‌him to within six points of Bezzecchi in the championship ​ahead of Sunday’s race.

KTM’s Pedro ​Acosta ​was fourth while ‌home favourite ​Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha rounded out the top five.