French MotoGP, Le Mans Circuit - Full Race Results

Race results from the French MotoGP at Le Mans, round 5 of the 2021 world championship.
Jack Miller first laps, French MotoGP race, 16 May 2021
Jack Miller first laps, French MotoGP race, 16 May 2021
© Gold and Goose

Miller overcomes a double long-lap penalty and late charge by Zarco to make it two wins in a row during a dramatic dry-wet-dry flag-to-flag French MotoGP at Le Mans.

Early race leader Miller and Ducati team-mate Bagnaia both received a double long-lap penalty for speeding in pit lane during their bike swaps, but the Australian was soon able to overcome the penalties, taking the lead from home star Quartararo with 16 laps to go.

However there was a further weather twist when the sun began shining and track quickly drying, meaning those with a least one soft wet - including race leaders Miller and Quartararo - might potentially need to pit again for slicks.

Zarco, on the medium wets, swept by countryman Quartararo for second place with 6 laps to go but Miller remained out of reach for victory over the French stars.

After a soaking wet warm-up the race began on a dry track, but with dark clouds gathering overhead.

Rain duly arrived after just 3 laps, pouring down by lap 5 of 27, when the leaders all pulled in to switch from soft slicks to wets.

Marc Marquez took the lead of a MotoGP race for the first time since Jerez 2020 by passing Quartararo during their bike swaps, after the Frenchman pulled into team-mate Vinales' pit area, but the Honda rider's reign lasted just a few laps before being highsided at the final corners.

Marquez rejoined in 18th, but later crashed out for a final time while holding eleventh with 10 laps to go.

Quartararo later received a long-lap penalty for his bike swap error, but had already lost the lead to Miller.

A double disaster for Suzuki saw Mir fall just before swapping bikes and Rins just after, with only the #42 able to continue, before crashing for a second time.

Morbidelli tangled with Pol Espargaro on the opening lap, running wide and falling in the gravel trap, before rejoining. Oliveira later crashed while top KTM in ninth. Savadori and team-mate Aleix Espargaro both retired due to technical problems on their Aprilias.

Quartararo was racing for the first time since arm-pump surgery on his right forearm. Injured rookie Jorge Martin was again replaced by Rabat. Marquez, sidelined for nine months after complications to a broken right arm last July, was taking part in his third event since returning to MotoGP action.

Today's race was the first flag-to-flag since Brno 2017.

The Italian Grand Prix at Mugello takes place at the end of this month, with Quartararo now back in the title lead by just 1 point over Bagnaia, who recovered to fourth.

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French MotoGP, Le Mans - Race Results
PosRiderNatTeamTime/Diff
1Jack MillerAUSDucati Team (GP21)47m 25.473s
2Johann ZarcoFRAPramac Ducati (GP21)+3.970s
3Fabio QuartararoFRAMonster Yamaha (YZR-M1)+14.468s
4Francesco BagnaiaITADucati Team (GP21)+16.172s
5Danilo PetrucciITAKTM Tech3 (RC16)+21.430s
6Alex MarquezSPALCR Honda (RC213V)+23.509s
7Takaaki NakagamiJPNLCR Honda (RC213V)+30.164s
8Pol EspargaroSPARepsol Honda (RC213V)+35.221s
9Iker LecuonaSPAKTM Tech3 (RC16)+40.432s
10Maverick ViñalesSPAMonster Yamaha (YZR-M1)+40.577s
11Valentino RossiITAPetronas Yamaha (YZR-M1)+42.198s
12Luca MariniITASky VR46 Avintia Ducati (GP19)*+52.408s
13Brad BinderRSARed Bull KTM (RC16)+59.377s
14Enea BastianiniITAAvintia Ducati (GP19)*+62.224s
15Tito RabatSPAPramac Ducati (GP21)+69.651s
16Franco MorbidelliITAPetronas Yamaha (YZR-M1)+4 laps
 Marc MarquezSPARepsol Honda (RC213V)DNF
 Aleix EspargaroSPAAprilia Gresini (RS-GP)DNF
 Miguel OliveiraPORRed Bull KTM (RC16)DNF
 Alex RinsSPASuzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)DNF
 Lorenzo SavadoriITAAprilia Gresini (RS-GP)*DNF
 Joan MirSPASuzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)DNF

* Rookie.

By Peter McLaren
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