Moto GP – French GP – Race

A warm sunny sunday saw the riders getting set on the grid for the 7th race of the season at Le Mans. A track that over the last few years, have delivered some memorable races.

Ligths were of and the riders were underway, with both Ducatis of Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia on a strong start, meanwhile Aleix Espargaro and Fabio Quartararo didn’t have the best grip and both were on the low top 10, with many work to do.

Some laps later, a big moment for 3rd place Alex Rins, who had to take the gravel and then had a huge incident when he tried to incorporate on track. Meaning that Enea Bastianini was now 3rd, in the hunt of the 2 Ducatis up front; As an intense battle for the lead was developing between Miller and Bagnaia.

As Raul Fernandez was the protagonist of the 2nd race incident on track, the Gresini Ducati of Enea Bastianini catch up with the front group ahead and started to separare from the rest of the riders. The young Italian riders was looking signifiaclly strong, compared to Miller and Bagnaia. Eventually, a move was made from Bastianini to Miller and the Gresini bike was 2nd provisional.

As the race was going to its equator, Francesco Bagnaia had an increase of pace and develop a small separation between him and the rest of the top 5 riders. Bastianini, Bagnaia, Mir and Aleix Espargaro. Meanwhile a strong battle was developing between Marc Marquez and Johann Zarco for 6th place.

Another Suzuki saw the dirt some several laps later, with Joan Mir losing control and crashing on the last sector of the track. Meanwhile the Ducati group reunited once again and created a gap from the closest chaser, Aleix Espargaro, of +1.2 seconds. Another rider met the gravel some laps later, this time was Jorge Martin at the Pramac bike.

A big battle for the lead started between Francesco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini. As both riders pushed to the limit, with the Gresini bike becoming the new race leader, as Bagnaia attempted to approach to the lead, the Ducati rider made a huge mistake and crashed on the last sector of the track.

After that incident, the riders up fron got some separation between them, with Bastianini having a gap of +3 with Miller, ans the Aussie having a +3 second with Aleix Espargaro, who was constantly hunted by Fabio Quartararo, who was seeking for a podium finish at his home GP.

The last laps passed by and Aleix clinched a formidable defense, against the home hero Fabio Quartararo. With Jack Miller unable to catch up the lead, had to confort with 2nd and Enea Bastianini grab his 3rd career win and establish himself as a considerable championship contender.

Race Results:

1. Enea Bastianini /// 2. Jack Miller /// 3. Aleix Espargaro
4. Fabio Quartararo /// 5. Johann Zarco /// 6. Marc Marquez
7. Takaaki Nakagami /// 8. Brad Binder /// 9. Luca Marini
10. Maverick Viñales /// 11. Pol Espargaro /// 12. Marco Bezzecchi
13. Fabio Di Giannantonio /// 14. Alex Marquez /// 15. Franco Morbidelli
16. Andrea Dovizioso /// 17. Darryl Binder

DNF: Miguel Oliveira, Francesco Bagnaia, Joan Mir, Jorge Martin, Raul Fernandez, Alex Rins

A chaotic and contested race saw Enea Bastianini at the top spot of the podium for a 3rd time this season and closes the gap at the championship standing to Fabio Quartararo, with Aleix Espargaro being keeping up at the standings. Next stop, Mugello, on two weeks form today, for the 2022 Italian GP.