The Michelin Grand Prix of France 2026 returns to the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Furthermore, this is Round 6 of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship and marks Le Mans’ 27th consecutive year on the calendar.
Marco Bezzecchi arrives in red-hot form after winning his fifth consecutive race at Austin for Aprilia, making him the rider to beat heading into Europe.
Meanwhile, French stars Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) chase home glory at one of the loudest, most passionate venues on the circuit.
The MotoGP™ race lights out at 14:00 CEST on Sunday, May 10, with the Tissot Sprint scheduled for 15:00 CEST on Saturday.
Michelin Grand Prix of France 2026 Schedule
The French GP follows the standard MotoGP weekend format, with practice and Sprint Qualifying on Friday, followed by Qualifying and the Tissot Sprint on Saturday, before the main races on Sunday.
Additionally, all timings below cover MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 sessions across all major regions.
| Date | Session | Local Time (CEST) | BST (UK) | IST (India) | AEST (Australia) | EDT (USA East) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 8 | MotoGP Free Practice 1 | 10:45 – 11:30 | 09:45 – 10:30 | 14:15 – 15:00 | 18:45 – 19:30 | 04:45 – 05:30 |
| Friday, May 8 | MotoGP Practice | 15:00 – 16:00 | 14:00 – 15:00 | 18:30 – 19:30 | 23:00 – 00:00 (Sat) | 09:00 – 10:00 |
| Saturday, May 9 | MotoGP Free Practice 2 | 10:10 – 10:40 | 09:10 – 09:40 | 13:40 – 14:10 | 18:10 – 18:40 | 04:10 – 04:40 |
| Saturday, May 9 | MotoGP Qualifying 1 & 2 | 10:50 – 11:45 | 09:50 – 10:45 | 14:20 – 15:15 | 18:50 – 19:45 | 04:50 – 05:45 |
| Saturday, May 9 | Tissot Sprint Race (13 laps) | 15:00 | 14:00 | 18:30 | 23:00 | 09:00 |
| Sunday, May 10 | Moto3 Race | 11:00 | 10:00 | 14:30 | 19:00 | 05:00 |
| Sunday, May 10 | Moto2 Race | 12:15 | 11:15 | 15:45 | 20:15 | 06:15 |
| Sunday, May 10 | MotoGP French Grand Prix (27 laps) | 14:00 | 13:00 | 17:30 | 22:00 | 08:00 |
Michelin Grand Prix of France 2026: Preview
Le Mans returns at a critical point in the 2026 season. Furthermore, the early-season form has produced surprises across all three classes, with championship leadership shifting after every round so far.
Bezzecchi On a Roll With Aprilia
Marco Bezzecchi enters Le Mans on the back of his fifth consecutive Grand Prix victory at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
As a result, Aprilia have collected back-to-back wins, transforming the Italian constructor into the team to beat. Furthermore, Bezzecchi’s late-braking style fits Le Mans’ first-gear corners and stop-start rhythm.
French Riders Chase Home Glory
Johann Zarco (LCR Honda) won the 2025 French GP in the rain in front of a delirious home crowd, becoming the first French winner in MotoGP at Le Mans since Régis Laconi in 1999.
Meanwhile, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) holds the all-time Le Mans qualifying record at 1:29.342 from 2024. Both riders carry serious expectations heading into the home race.
Marc Marquez Defends His Lap Record
Reigning World Champion Marc Marquez set the current MotoGP race lap record of 1:29.855 in 2025 aboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP25, eclipsing Jorge Martin’s previous mark.
Additionally, Marquez has won at Le Mans multiple times across his career and remains a consistent podium threat at the Bugatti Circuit.
MotoE Returns to Le Mans
The MotoE™ class also makes its 2026 European debut at Le Mans, with two qualifying sessions on Friday afternoon and two 8-lap races on Saturday.
Consequently, the weekend programme is one of the busiest of the year, featuring four classes across three days.
Bugatti Circuit, Le Mans: Circuit Details
The Bugatti Circuit is a 4.185 km layout built in 1965 within the perimeter of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans course.
Furthermore, it has been a permanent fixture on the MotoGP calendar since 2000 after returning following safety improvements.
The track is famous for its first-gear corners, late braking zones, and the iconic Chapelle and Garage Vert sections that decide most Sunday battles.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Circuit Name | Circuit Bugatti, Le Mans |
| Location | Le Mans, Sarthe, France |
| First MotoGP Race | 1969 (continuous since 2000) |
| Track Length | 4.185 km |
| Number of Laps (MotoGP) | 27 |
| Number of Laps (Sprint) | 13 |
| Race Distance (MotoGP) | 113.0 km |
| Corners | 14 (5 Left, 9 Right) |
| Direction | Clockwise |
| Track Width | 13 metres |
| Longest Straight | 674 metres |
| Top Speed Recorded | 320+ km/h |
| Capacity | 100,000 spectators |
| MotoGP Race Lap Record | 1:29.855 (Marc Marquez, Ducati, 2025) |
| All-Time Pole / Track Record | 1:29.342 (Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha, 2024) |
| Distance from Paris | 200 km south-west |
The track is defined by its abundance of slow corners taken in first gear. Specifically, late braking, hard acceleration, and rear-tyre traction are the decisive factors.
Moreover, the Chapelle, Garage Vert, and the final chicane are the judges of paty on Sunday.
Michelin Grand Prix of France: Stats and Records
Le Mans has hosted MotoGP-class racing continuously since 2000, producing some of the sport’s most memorable battles.
Additionally, French riders have rarely won at home in the modern era, making Zarco’s 2025 victory all the more significant.
Recent French Grand Prix Winners
| Year | MotoGP Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Johann Zarco | LCR Honda |
| 2024 | Jorge Martin | Pramac Ducati |
| 2023 | Marco Bezzecchi | Mooney VR46 Ducati |
| 2022 | Enea Bastianini | Gresini Ducati |
| 2021 | Jack Miller | Ducati Lenovo |
Key Le Mans MotoGP Records
- Most Le Mans MotoGP wins: Valentino Rossi with 5 (2002, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2015)
- MotoGP race lap record: 1:29.855, Marc Marquez, Ducati, 2025
- Pole / qualifying record: 1:29.342, Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha, 2024
- First MotoGP race at Le Mans: 1969 (Giacomo Agostini won 500cc class)
- Modern era return: 2000 (after 1995 hiatus following Alberto Puig accident)
- Years on calendar (consecutive): 27 (2000 to 2026)
- Last French winner before Zarco: Régis Laconi in 1999
- Average attendance: 100,000+ over the weekend
Michelin Grand Prix of France 2026 Predictions
Based on early-season form, this looks like one of the most open Le Mans weekends in years. Furthermore, the wet weather forecast for the region adds another variable that could shake up the grid.
Race Winner Pick
Marco Bezzecchi is the safest bet given his 5-race winning streak with Aprilia. Moreover, his late-braking style suits Le Mans perfectly.
However, Johann Zarco is the dark horse, with home advantage and the ability to thrive in mixed conditions, as he proved in 2025.
Sprint Race Pick
Marc Marquez is the most experienced sprint racer in the field and consistently delivers in shorter formats. Additionally, his Ducati GP26 should give him a competitive setup over 13 laps.
Pole Position Pick
Fabio Quartararo holds the qualifying record at Le Mans and has shown improved one-lap pace with Yamaha in 2026. Consequently, the home crowd could see him on the front row at minimum.
Dark Horse
Pedro Acosta is the rider to watch at every venue this season. Importantly, KTM have made significant gains since the start of 2026, and Acosta’s natural ability at flowing circuits gives him a genuine podium shot at Le Mans.
Also Read
FAQs: Michelin Grand Prix of France 2026
The Michelin Grand Prix of France 2026 takes place from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans, France.
The MotoGP race lights out at 14:00 CEST on Sunday, May 10, 2026, which is 13:00 BST in the UK and 17:30 IST in India.
The French MotoGP 2026 race starts at 22:00 AEST on Sunday, May 10, 2026, in Australia. The race runs in the late evening for Australian viewers.
The Tissot Sprint takes place at 15:00 CEST on Saturday, May 9, 2026. This is 14:00 BST, 18:30 IST, and 23:00 AEST.
Johann Zarco won the 2025 French MotoGP at Le Mans for LCR Honda in wet conditions, becoming the first French winner of the home race since Régis Laconi in 1999.
Valentino Rossi holds the record with 5 wins at Le Mans in the MotoGP class (2002, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2015).
The current MotoGP race lap record at Le Mans is 1:29.855, set by Marc Marquez aboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP25 in 2025.
The French MotoGP main race covers 27 laps of the 4.185 km Bugatti Circuit, totalling approximately 113 km. The Tissot Sprint runs over 13 laps.
