After Ducati secured its first grand prix win in Jerez, Aprilia quickly reasserted dominance at Le Mans, producing a stunning team performance.
Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team
Photo by: Loic Venance / AFP via Getty Images
Last weekend’s French Grand Prix could mark a decisive turning point in the 2026 MotoGP season. Aprilia stamped its authority with a 1-2-3 finish, while Jorge Martin delivered his most commanding weekend yet on the RS-GP, securing a double victory.
Over at Ducati, Francesco Bagnaia made significant progress but was forced to retire due to a mix of mechanical trouble and his relentless effort to stay competitive. Marc Marquez, meanwhile, suffered yet another injury following a heavy crash during the sprint race.
Here are the key winners and losers from MotoGP’s French Grand Prix.
Winner: Jorge Martin
Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team
Photo by: Loic Venance / AFP via Getty Images
Jorge Martin had already shown title potential earlier this season with standout performances, including a sprint win in Austin. But what he achieved at Le Mans was extraordinary, making him the clear championship favorite in many eyes.
His lightning start from eighth on the grid to seize victory in Saturday’s sprint was classic Martin, reminiscent of the rider who built his 2024 title challenge around sprint dominance. The real damage came on Sunday, however, when he beat Marco Bezzecchi on the Italian’s own turf to capture his first grand prix win in two years. History will record that it was Martin—not Bezzecchi—who led Aprilia’s first MotoGP podium sweep.
Even his former employer Ducati must be watching the Spaniard in awe. Just 12 months after a contract saga and an injury-plagued 2025 season that dented his reputation, Martin is back on the top step and firmly on course to challenge for the championship again.
Loser: Marco Bezzecchi
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
On paper, this was Bezzecchi’s highest-scoring weekend since Brazil, with podiums in both races and a healthy 27-point haul. But it was also the first time this season he felt uncomfortable on the bike and was completely outmatched by another Aprilia rider. While his defeat in Spain could be attributed to Ducati’s superiority, there was no excuse at Le Mans, where Aprilia locked out the podium.
To his credit, Bezzecchi executed a perfect sprint race, overcoming a weakness that has plagued him since last year. The Italian needed consistent Saturday scoring to keep his teammate at bay. But with Martin raising his game in France, Bezzecchi now faces even more pressure from within the team and must deliver something special to remain Aprilia’s number one rider.
Winner and Loser: Marc Marquez
If that highside looked frightening on television, one can only imagine what Marquez endured as he was violently thrown from his Ducati heading into Turn 14. The sight of Marquez limping through the pits, struggling to keep his balance, was a stark reminder of MotoGP’s physical toll.
Yet even Marquez admitted that the timing of the injury actually worked in his favor. After flying back to Madrid overnight, he underwent surgery not only on his broken foot but also on the shoulder that had troubled him since last year’s Indonesian GP. Instead of waiting until after Barcelona, he was able to advance the planned operation and begin rehabilitation immediately.
Marquez revealed that a screw had become dislodged in his battered shoulder, adding another chapter to his long recovery story.