Johann Zarco stuns home crowd to claim chaotic Le Mans MotoGP victory

LCR Honda’s Johann Zarco stormed to a stunning flag-to-flag MotoGP victory to the delight of his home crowd in Le Mans. 

The French rider became the first French rider to win his home grand prix since 1954 in the most unlikely of circumstances. 

Light rain started falling before the race start, leading to discussions up and down the grid as to what the correct tyre choice would be.

Fabio Quartararo almost lost his bike going into Turn 2 on the warm-up lap, sparking questions if anyone would pit to change bikes. 

At the end of the lap, every single rider decided to enter the pits to change their bikes to the wet setup, delaying the start of the race. 

The quick start procedure was followed under the new regulation changes, meaning the race distance was reduced to 26 laps. 

13 riders then came down the pitlane again to change their bikes back to the slick set-up following the start procedure, but were allowed to start from the original grid positions. 

Marc Marquez got the best start as he took the lead going down into the first corner, but Quartararo was able to respond to regain first. 

Further down the field, Francesco Bagnaia made an error and crashed at Turn 1 with Joan Mir, but both the Italian rejoined the race, as Zarco made a trip through the gravel.

Luca Marini, Marco Bezzecchi and Alex Rins returned to the pit lane at the end of the opening lap to change their bikes, and were followed by the rejoining Bagnaia. 

Alex Marquez was enjoying the tricky conditions and was able to make a move on his brother to take second place. 

On the third lap, the double long lap penalties started to come through in accordance with the new start procedures, and Quartararo relinquished the lead to serve the first of his two. 

Fermin Aldeguer followed his team-mate by passing Marquez as the group lapped Bagnaia after his trip into the pit lane. 

Quartararo rejoined in a battle with Brad Binder, and he was able to clear the South African to commence battle with Marquez. 

However, the home hero made an error into the final corner and crashed out of the race and was followed into the gravel trap by Binder as the rain started falling again. 

Riders further down the order made their way back into the pit lane to return to their wet setups, as more riders started making mistakes on the slick tyres. 

Marquez served his final long lap penalty, but his brother missed the loop as the pair returned to the pit lane to change back to their wet bikes. 

As all of the riders returned to the pit lane, the riders who started with wet tyres saw their gamble pay off, with home favourite Zarco taking the lead. 

Marquez made quick work of Miguel Oliveira, whose gamble saw him move into second place, as he attempted to close the seven-second gap to Zarco at the front. 

A few laps later, Oliveira tussled with Vinales for fifth, but the Tech3 KTM rider ultimately prevailed in the battle. 

As the rain continued to fall, the gaps between the leading riders steadied, as Zarco continued to lead his home race. 

Oliveira crashed out of seventh at the final corner, as the conditions remained treacherous for the riders on track.

The younger Marquez also crashed in the penultimate corner, but was able to rejoin the action in sixth. 

However, the one-time championship leader crashed for a second time which saw him exit the race. 

The battle for the final podium position opened up, with long-time rivals Acosta and Aldeguer duelling for third.

Aldeguer found his way through on his fellow Murcian to steal the third as the riders headed for their final tour of the circuit. 

Zarco took the chequered flag to become the first French rider to win the French Grand Prix in 71 years. 

Marquez confirmed second place, crossing the line almost 20 seconds behind the race winner. 

Rookie Aldeguer earned his first grand prix podium as he took third. 

Acosta was forced to settle for fourth ahead of satellite KTM rider Vinales in fifth. 

Takaaki Nakagami earned sixth place as a wildcard for Honda with Raul Fernandez in seventh.

Fabio Di Giannantonio finished the race in eighth as Lorenzo Savadori earned ninth. 

Ai Ogura rounded out the top 10 to ensure three Aprilias in the top three.  

Luca Marini took the flag in 11th, with Alex Rins proving to be the last rider on the leading lap in 12th. 

Enea Bastianini had to serve a double long lap penalty for speeding in the pit lane as he took 13th, with Marco Bezzecchi just behind in 14th.

Franco Morbidelli finished 15th, with Francesco Bagnaia the final finisher of the race in 16th.

Gresini’s Marquez joined Oliveira, Quartararo, Mir and Binder as the crashers from the race, while Jack Miller joined the non-finishers.