As it happened: Friday Free Practice - MotoGP Le Mans

Round seven of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship heads to Le Mans, France

Update: Pol Espargaro finished a competitive FP1 fastest ahead of Suzuki rider Alex Rins and winner last time out Francesco Bagnaia. 

On the eve of the event Suzuki released news of their intention to pull out of MotoGP at the end of 2022. 

It means Joan Mir and Alex Rins are officially looking for a seat in 2023, and thus will want to perform as speculation of where they could be riding intensifies. 

Fabio Quartararo heads into his home round as the outright championship leader after finishing second in Jerez. 

The Monster Energy Yamaha rider is yet to win at Le Mans in any class, as is the case for fellow Frenchman Johann Zarco. 

The Pramac Ducati rider has stood on the podium three times at Le Mans (twice in MotoGP), with the last of those coming in 2021. 

Jack Miller, who is coming under intense pressure as it relates to his factory Ducati seat won last season’s French MotoGP. 

The Australian took advantage of wet conditions and Marc Marquez crashing from the lead to win his third race in the premier class. 

Should Ducati win this weekend it will mark the third consecutive year they’ve won at Le Mans, after MotoAmerica rider Danilo Petrucci won in 2020. 

Ducati’s best hope could be in the form of Francesco Bagnaia as the Italian appeared back to his best in Jerez. Winner of the Spanish GP, Bagnaia has climbed up to fifth in the championship standings.  

Second in the championship is Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro, who outside of Quartararo has been as consistent as one through the opening six races. 

Of the current crop of premier class riders, eight-time world champion Marc Marquez has taken the most victories at Le Mans (3), while Miller and Maverick Vinales are the other two that have won at the Bugatti circuit in MotoGP.