Marc Marquez update: more surgery, #93 to miss Catalan GP. After a crash in the Sprint in France, Marquez won’t take part in Sunday’s GP and will miss Barcelona.
Ducati Lenovo Team’s Marc Marquez has confirmed he will undergo another surgery on the right shoulder he injured at last season’s Indonesian GP. This comes after he was also declared unfit at the French Grand Prix following his Sprint crash in which he injured his foot.
The #93 revealed he was scheduled to have the shoulder operation following the Catalan GP but, after fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his right foot in Saturday’s Sprint crash, the surgery will now be brought forward.
The World Champion will now miss at least the Sunday action at the French GP and next week’s event as he focuses on the recovery of both his foot and shoulder.
Jorge Martin won the MotoGP Tissot Sprint race Saturday afternoon at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on Michelin control tires, the Spaniard won the 13-lap race by 1.107 second.
Polesitter Francesco Bagnaia was the runner-up on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Championship point leader and Martin’s teammate, Marco Bezzecchi finished third.
Pedro Acosta finished the race fourth on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM.
Home hero Fabio Quartararo got fifth on his Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1 V4.
Defending MotoGP World Champion, Marc Marquez crashed his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26 while running seventh and was taken to medical.
Marco Bezzecchi leads the championship with 108 points, 6 ahead of Jorge Martin who has 102 points. Pedro Acosta is third with 72 points.
Martin sprints to Saturday gold as Marc Marquez suffers DNF in Le Mans. An unreal start sees the #89 go from P8 to P1 in three corners as late drama strikes the reigning World Champion.
As starts go, that was about as good as it gets from French GP Tissot Sprint winner Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), who didn’t miss a beat on a dramatic Saturday afternoon at a packed-out Le Mans. The #89 strolled to a fairly dominant 12-point haul as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) made it three Saturday podiums in the last three Grands Prix with a P2 finish. Just over a second covered the former title rivals, with 2026 World Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) picking up a bronze medal in P3, while 2025 World Champion Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) endured a nasty crash in the closing stages.
WHAT A START
From P8 on the grid, Martin got an absolute flyer to snatch the lead into Turn 4 after brilliantly swooping around the outside of teammate Bezzecchi, Bagnaia, and Marc Marquez through Turn 3, as polesitter Bagnaia slotted into an early P3. Home hero Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was a P4, signalling a good getaway from the Frenchman, with Marc Marquez losing three places on the opening lap – the reigning World Champion was P5 from the middle of the front row.
On Lap 2, the #93 was then picked off by an aggressive Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), and then at Turn 3 on Lap 3, Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) had a nibble too. And it was a bite that paid off. Suddenly, Marc Marquez was P7.
MARTIN COMFORTABLE TO THE FLAG, MM93 CRASHES
Lap 3 saw Bezzecchi make a mistake at Turn 7, which allowed Pecco to sweep past his compatriot into P2. However, at this stage, Martin had got his skates on. The 2024 World Champion was over a second up the road, as Acosta then shoved his way up to P4 past Quartararo.
Having had a woeful start from P4, Fabio Di Giannantonio’s (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) Sprint ended prematurely with a crash at Turn 3 on Lap 5, with the Italian P14 at the time. Not what the Italian ordered from the Sprint menu.
Up front, Martin was keeping Pecco a second behind him, with Bezzecchi dropping to 1.1s behind the factory Ducati. Then came Acosta, a further second in arrears, with the battle for P5 bubbling away nicely between Quartararo, Mir, and Marc Marquez. The trio was six-tenths shy of Acosta.
On Lap 9 of 13, Martin stretched his lead to 1.3s. A lap later, it was 1.4s – then 1.5s. And with Pecco 1.5s in front of Bezzecchi, it looked like the top three were set.
The order behind wasn’t, though, and huge drama unfolded for Marc Marquez on the penultimate lap at Turn 13. The #93 suffered a huge crash – the front-end folded, which he gathered back up by digging his knee in, but that then caused the rear-end to get out of shape. This movement then spat the Spaniard over the top and subsequently out of the Sprint in a nasty way. Thankfully, Marquez was up on his feet – but that was another bruising afternoon for the World Champion, who walked gingerly back to the back of the Ducati box and then went to the medical centre for a check-up on the back of a scooter.
In less dramatic circumstances, it was a Saturday stroll to a 12-point haul for Martin, his second of the season, with Pecco and Bezzecchi picking up the silver and bronze medals. Acosta’s early moves helped him to finish P4, with Quartararo giving the French faithful something to cheer about with a gutsy P5.
Mir was a slender 0.2s away from Quartararo in P6, and just behind the top six battle was Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) in P7, Spanish GP winner Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) in P8, and rookie Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) in P9 as the Brazilian collects his first Sprint point – and his best result to date in MotoGP.
COMING UP: GRAND PRIX SUNDAY IN FRANCE
Drama for the World Champion, Aprilia march on, and a Quartararo top five. Plenty to shout about then for the home fans at Le Mans (and the millions around the world) as we now debrief and strap in for Grand Prix Sunday at Le Mans.
Izan Guevara earned pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday afternoon at Le Mans, in France. Riding his BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Boscoscuro on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard turned a 1:33.910 to top the field of 28 riders.
Daniel Holgado was second-best with a 1:33.996 on his CFMOTO Inde Aspar Kalex.
Filip Salac claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:34.020 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Barry Baltus finished the session fourth with a lap time of 1:34.076 on his REDS Fantic Racing Kalex.
Championship point leader, Manuel Gonzalez qualified fifth on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP with a time of 1:34.076.
Salac’s teammate, American Joe Roberts, qualified sixth with a time of 1:34.090
On song Guevara clinches debut Moto2 pole. The Spaniard converts his Practice pace into a Saturday afternoon P1, as Holgado and Salač make up the front row in Le Mans.
A 1:33.910, a new Moto2 all-time lap record at Le Mans, was enough to see Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) earn a debut pole position in the class. The margin to P2 was tight, 0.086s to be exact, with Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) launching from P2, and having had a nightmare start to the weekend on Friday with technical issues and a big crash, Filip Salač (OnlyFans American Racing Team) clinched his first front row of the season in P3.
Spearheading the second row of the grid will be Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing), but the Belgian – who has had great pace all weekend – suffered a Turn 6 crash in Q2 that saw him head to the medical centre for a check-up. A late lap from Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) saw the championship frontrunner climb from outside the top 10 to P5, with Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) securing his best qualifying result of the year in P6.
Despite his injury troubles this weekend, David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) came through Q1 to secure P7, with back-to-back Moto2 winner Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) forced to settle for P11 – even though the rider second in the standings sits just 0.283s away from pole position.
Tune into the Moto2 race from 12:15 local time on Sunday!
Adrian Fernandez earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday afternoon at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Leopard Racing Honda on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard topped the 26-rider field with a lap time of 1:40.044.
Maximo Quiles was the best of the rest with a 1:40.184 on his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM, and Joel Kelso claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:40.204 on his GRYD MLav Racing Honda.
Row-two qualifiers included Quiles’ teammate Marco Morelli (1:40.260), Liqui Moly Dynavolt IntactGP’s David Munoz (1:40.280) and Honda Team Asia’s Veda Pratama (1:40.304).
Fernandez takes last gasp pole in France. The Leopard Racing rider denies Quiles late on in Le Mans.
Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) made a late dash to grab pole position in Le Mans, putting in a 1:40.044 to deny Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) by just under a tenth and a half. Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLav Racing) takes third place to compete the front row for the French GP.
Q1 was equally decided late on as Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) topped the pile, moving through along with Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power), Cormac Buchanan (CODE Motorsports) and Guido Pini (Leopard Racing).
Once Q2 was underway, it looked a dead cert for Quiles to take pole after a late lap cancellation for Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) demoted him, but Fernandez was on flyer – and he kept it together to take over on top, denying Quiles. Kelso takes third.
Marco Morelli (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) heads Row 2 ahead of David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) and Indonesian Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia). Uriarte ultimately ended up P7, just ahead of teammate Carpe, with Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP-MTA) taking P9 to round out Row 3. Eddie O’Shea (GRYD – MLav Racing) completes the top ten.
Francesco Bagnaia claimed pole position during MotoGP qualifying Saturday at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26 on the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) track, Bagnaia turned a 1:29.634 to top the 22-rider field. This is Bagnaia’s first pole position since the 2025 Malaysian Grand Prix.
His teammate, Marc Marquez was the best of the rest with a 1:29.646.
Marco Bezzecchi claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:29.657 on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26.
Row-two qualifiers included Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati’s Fabio Di Giannantonio (1:29.699), Red Bull KTM’s Pedro Acosta (1:29.817) and Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo (1:29.831).
Bagnaia denies Marc Marquez for Le Mans pole. A first pole of the 2026 campaign kept his teammate at bay despite the #93 putting in a new lap record to graduate through Q1 into pole position contention.
Sparks were always going to fly in qualifying at Le Mans and we weren’t disappointed. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) claimed a first pole of the season with a final flying lap to halt a Q1 to pole charge from teammate Marc Marquez, whilst it’s Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) who rounds out a powerhouse of a front row.
The Q1 big hitters were out in force immediately as the clock ticked down and the home crowd were expectant of last year’s polesitter Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) to go through. ‘El Diablo’ delivered the goods, originally setting a flurry of lap times good enough for provisional pole before a certain reigning World Champion had something to say about it. Marc Marquez shattered the lap record with a mega lap at the end of the session, giving him P1 ahead of Quartararo as both moved into Q2.
So, both home representatives in Q2, along with the reigning World Champion, the top three in the standings and all after the closest Friday in MotoGP history, we were always going to get fireworks. Opening gambits laid out bare, Championship leader ‘Bez’ was provisional pole whilst Di Giannantonio was second and Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) third. Marc Marquez’s first attempt left him sixth whilst the home charge saw Quartararo P7 and Zarco P11. This was just the calm before the storm though, with time attack mode fully engaged and the quest for Le Mans pole success.
Second runs started and it was the #93 who was on a roll, charging into provisional pole whilst it was disaster for brother Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), who crashed at Turn 3. He was all OK but it hindered his session. Just when we thought it was all done and dusted, Bagnaia pulled out a heroic final role of the dice to deny teammate Marquez pole. Despite Di Giannantonio’s best efforts on his final run, he couldn’t hook up the final sector and will have to come from the second row of the grid.
A first pole position since Sepang last year, Bagnaia is in the driving seat going into the Sprint and Grand Prix. With Marc Marquez second, it’s a Ducati Lenovo Team 1-2 for the first time since Brno last year, whilst Bezzecchi snatched the final front row position. ‘Diggia’ had to settle for second whilst Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – despite a trip through the Turn 2 gravel – rounds out the top five. Pole last year and P6 this year, Quartararo can be pleased with his second top six qualifying display of the year.
Best Honda honours went to Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) in P7 whereas 2024 World Champion and French GP winner Martin starts eighth. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) starts ninth ahead of Alex Marquez, home-hero Zarco and Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
Fabio Quartararo led MotoGP World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday morning at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1 V4 on spec Michelin tires, the Frenchman turned a lap time of 1:30.580 to lead the 22-rider field.
Francesco Bagnaia was the best of the rest with a 1:30.646 on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Fabio Di Giannantonio was third at 1:30.761 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Ai Ogura finished the session fourth with a 1:30.766 on his Aprilia Trackhouse RS-GP26 and his teammate, Raul Fernandez got fifth with a lap time of 1:30.836.
Izan Guevara led Moto2 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday morning, at Le Mans, in France. The Spaniard used his Pirelli-shod BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Boscoscuro to lap the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) track in 1:33.931, which led the field of 28 riders and broke Manuel Gonzalez’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:34.315 from 2025.
Barry Baltus was the best of the rest with a 1:34.268 on his REDS Fantic Racing Kalex.
Filip Salac was third-fastest with a 1:34.425 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
American Joe Roberts and Salac’s teammate, finished Saturday morning’s practice session 7th with a best time of 1:34.582.
Adrian Fernandez led Moto3 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday morning, at Le Mans, in France. Fernandez used his Pirelli-shod Leopard Racing Honda to lap the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) track in 1:40.255 to lead the field of 26 riders.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe was second-best with a time of 1:40.507.
Adrian Cruces, piloting his CIP Green Power KTM, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:40.534.
AMA’s annual initiative aims to get kids aboard two wheels this month.
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Now in its fourth year, The American Motorcyclist Association’s annual AMA Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month is a nationwide campaign geared toward the next generation of riders while aiming to get America’s youth on motorcycles.
During AMA Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month, the AMA will work closely with its racing and recreational riding organizers on riding initiatives for children and give them controlled environments where they can ride.
“The future of motorcycling hinges on raising America’s youth on two wheels,” AMA Director of Marketing and Communications Joy Burgess said. “AMA Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month has grown with each passing year, serving its purpose to cultivate the future of our sport through our nation’s kids. We are so grateful to our organizers and all of the kids that get out and ride; they make this month so special!”
The AMA will work alongside its organizers and partners to promote Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month via numerous methods, including social media campaigns, marketing efforts and more to educate people about the benefits of getting kids on motorcycles.
AMA Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month would not be possible without our outstanding partners throughout the motorcycle industry, including Denago, STACYC, Yamaha, Cobra, Honda, Turn 14 Distribution, Guts Racing, ASV, Brake Free, SSR, Beta and Baxley.
Take A Kid Dirt Biking Month events will take place throughout May, hosted by several organizers throughout the country. However, kids do not need to attend an organized event to get involved. To participate, kids simply need to get out and ride in the month of May and submit a photo or video at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/take-a-kid-dirt-biking-photo-submissions/. By sharing photos, kids will have the opportunity to be featured on the AMA’s social media, website and in the American Motorcyclist magazine. They’ll also have a chance to win a STACYC bike and other prizes.
As part of AMA Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month, the third issue of American Motorcyclist For Kids is now available! This edition highlights the incredible children — and a few adults — that impact motorcycling as racers, advocates and riders. Read the issue at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/american-motorcyclist-for-kids/.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 8, 2026) – AMA Pro Racing joins the motorcycle racing community in mourning the passing of Mike Kidd, the 1981 AMA Grand National Champion, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer, race promoter, series builder, and former AMA Pro Racing executive. Kidd was 72.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Kidd authored one of the most respected careers in American motorcycle racing, first as a rider who overcame repeated adversity to reach the sport’s highest level, and later as a promoter and executive who helped shape the future of flat track and indoor motorcycle racing.
Kidd turned professional in 1972 and quickly established himself among the elite riders of the Grand National era. His first AMA Grand National victory came at the 1974 Charity Newsies Half Mile in Columbus, Ohio, and he went on to collect 12 AMA national wins during his professional racing career.
His greatest competitive triumph came in 1981. Riding for the Lawwill/Roberts team, Kidd earned eight podium finishes and victories at the Ascot Park TT national and the Du Quoin Mile. The championship battle came down to the final race at Ascot Park, where Kidd finished second to secure the AMA Grand National Championship by five points over Gary Scott.
After the 1981 title, Kidd joined Honda’s newly formed dirt track effort and played an important role in the development of machinery that would help power Honda riders to multiple Grand National Championships in the years that followed.
Kidd retired from professional racing after the 1983 season, but his influence on the sport only expanded. He was named AMA Promoter of the Year in 1984, built and operated Boyd Raceway in Texas, and created the AMA National Arenacross Series in 1985. He later worked as a vice president with Clear Channel Motor Sports and continued to shape motorcycle racing through event promotion, sponsorship development, and television initiatives.
Kidd also served the sport from within AMA Pro Racing, including leadership roles with AMA Pro Flat Track and later as AMA Pro Racing Director of Sales. Across those roles, he brought the same racer’s determination and promoter’s vision that defined his life in motorcycling.
Inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998, Kidd leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond his 1981 Grand National Championship. He was a racer, promoter, innovator, salesman, and advocate whose work helped sustain and grow the uniquely American discipline of flat track racing.
AMA Pro Racing extends its deepest condolences to Kidd’s family, friends, former competitors, colleagues, and the many fans whose lives he touched.
More, from a press release issued by the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame:
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame mourns the passing of Hall of Famer Mike Kidd, and extends its sincere condolences to his family and friends. He was 72.
Mike Kidd as a young dirt track racer. Photo courtesy AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.Mike Kidd (7) when he raced for Honda, circa 1980s. Photo courtesy AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
The 1981 AMA Grand National Champion, Kidd’s racing career was defined by his perseverance in the face of much adversity. Beyond his chops as a racer, Kidd was a top promoter of AMA races in the 1980s and 1990s, and founded the AMA Arenacross Series in 1985.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1953, Kidd’s love for racing started on four wheels, not two, where he saw great success, winning a national title in his age category. By the time he was 13, Kidd found his true calling on a motorcycle, competing in local dirt track and motocross races.
In 1972, Kidd turned pro, falling just short of a debut victory at the Houston Astrodome — registering a second-place finish behind fellow rookie and future AMA Hall of Famer Kenny Roberts.
In 1974, Kidd joined Triumph’s factory racing team and earned his first AMA Grand National victory at the Columbus, Ohio, Half-Mile.
Seven years later, and after enduring much misfortune out of his control, Kidd reached the pinnacle of his craft, winning the 1981 AMA Grand National Championship. He did so in dramatic fashion, entering the final race of the season at the Ascot Half-Mile in Gardena, Calif., in a tie with fellow AMA Hall of Famer Gary Scott. Kidd finished second in the tie-breaking race, but since Scott registered only a fourth-place finish, Kidd took the championship by a mere five points.
Kidd retired from racing in 1983, tallying a total of 12 AMA Grand National wins alongside his iconic 1981 title.
Kidd’s impact on the motorcycling community did not end there, however. In the 1980s and 1990s, Kidd became one of the leading promoters of AMA races in the country, going on to create the AMA Arenacross Series in 1985.
For his efforts as a racer and promoter, Kidd was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.
More from Mike kidd services info:
Dad’s arrangements:
Visitation will be Monday, May 11th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Coker Funeral Home
152 State Hwy 148
Jacksboro , TX
Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 12th at 1:00 PM, led by Chaplain Raymond Rizzo
Bible Baptist Church
241 W. Live Oak Street
Jacksboro, TX
Followed by graveside services and then a Celebration of Life at Jacksboro Golf & Country Club.
Please bring your favorite stories and memories to share at the Celebration of Life. Food will be provided, but if you feel led to bring something, you are more than welcome to.
Thank you all for the love, prayers, and support during this time. ❤️🏁
Marc Marquez (93) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Marc Marquez update: more surgery, #93 to miss Catalan GP. After a crash in the Sprint in France, Marquez won’t take part in Sunday’s GP and will miss Barcelona.
Ducati Lenovo Team’s Marc Marquez has confirmed he will undergo another surgery on the right shoulder he injured at last season’s Indonesian GP. This comes after he was also declared unfit at the French Grand Prix following his Sprint crash in which he injured his foot.
The #93 revealed he was scheduled to have the shoulder operation following the Catalan GP but, after fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his right foot in Saturday’s Sprint crash, the surgery will now be brought forward.
The World Champion will now miss at least the Sunday action at the French GP and next week’s event as he focuses on the recovery of both his foot and shoulder.
The Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Photo courtesy CIP Green Power KTM.
Jorge Martin won the MotoGP Tissot Sprint race Saturday afternoon at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26 on Michelin control tires, the Spaniard won the 13-lap race by 1.107 second.
Polesitter Francesco Bagnaia was the runner-up on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Championship point leader and Martin’s teammate, Marco Bezzecchi finished third.
Pedro Acosta finished the race fourth on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM.
Home hero Fabio Quartararo got fifth on his Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1 V4.
Defending MotoGP World Champion, Marc Marquez crashed his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26 while running seventh and was taken to medical.
Marco Bezzecchi leads the championship with 108 points, 6 ahead of Jorge Martin who has 102 points. Pedro Acosta is third with 72 points.
Martin sprints to Saturday gold as Marc Marquez suffers DNF in Le Mans. An unreal start sees the #89 go from P8 to P1 in three corners as late drama strikes the reigning World Champion.
As starts go, that was about as good as it gets from French GP Tissot Sprint winner Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), who didn’t miss a beat on a dramatic Saturday afternoon at a packed-out Le Mans. The #89 strolled to a fairly dominant 12-point haul as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) made it three Saturday podiums in the last three Grands Prix with a P2 finish. Just over a second covered the former title rivals, with 2026 World Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) picking up a bronze medal in P3, while 2025 World Champion Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) endured a nasty crash in the closing stages.
WHAT A START
From P8 on the grid, Martin got an absolute flyer to snatch the lead into Turn 4 after brilliantly swooping around the outside of teammate Bezzecchi, Bagnaia, and Marc Marquez through Turn 3, as polesitter Bagnaia slotted into an early P3. Home hero Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was a P4, signalling a good getaway from the Frenchman, with Marc Marquez losing three places on the opening lap – the reigning World Champion was P5 from the middle of the front row.
On Lap 2, the #93 was then picked off by an aggressive Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), and then at Turn 3 on Lap 3, Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) had a nibble too. And it was a bite that paid off. Suddenly, Marc Marquez was P7.
MARTIN COMFORTABLE TO THE FLAG, MM93 CRASHES
Lap 3 saw Bezzecchi make a mistake at Turn 7, which allowed Pecco to sweep past his compatriot into P2. However, at this stage, Martin had got his skates on. The 2024 World Champion was over a second up the road, as Acosta then shoved his way up to P4 past Quartararo.
Having had a woeful start from P4, Fabio Di Giannantonio’s (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) Sprint ended prematurely with a crash at Turn 3 on Lap 5, with the Italian P14 at the time. Not what the Italian ordered from the Sprint menu.
Up front, Martin was keeping Pecco a second behind him, with Bezzecchi dropping to 1.1s behind the factory Ducati. Then came Acosta, a further second in arrears, with the battle for P5 bubbling away nicely between Quartararo, Mir, and Marc Marquez. The trio was six-tenths shy of Acosta.
On Lap 9 of 13, Martin stretched his lead to 1.3s. A lap later, it was 1.4s – then 1.5s. And with Pecco 1.5s in front of Bezzecchi, it looked like the top three were set.
The order behind wasn’t, though, and huge drama unfolded for Marc Marquez on the penultimate lap at Turn 13. The #93 suffered a huge crash – the front-end folded, which he gathered back up by digging his knee in, but that then caused the rear-end to get out of shape. This movement then spat the Spaniard over the top and subsequently out of the Sprint in a nasty way. Thankfully, Marquez was up on his feet – but that was another bruising afternoon for the World Champion, who walked gingerly back to the back of the Ducati box and then went to the medical centre for a check-up on the back of a scooter.
In less dramatic circumstances, it was a Saturday stroll to a 12-point haul for Martin, his second of the season, with Pecco and Bezzecchi picking up the silver and bronze medals. Acosta’s early moves helped him to finish P4, with Quartararo giving the French faithful something to cheer about with a gutsy P5.
Mir was a slender 0.2s away from Quartararo in P6, and just behind the top six battle was Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) in P7, Spanish GP winner Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) in P8, and rookie Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) in P9 as the Brazilian collects his first Sprint point – and his best result to date in MotoGP.
COMING UP: GRAND PRIX SUNDAY IN FRANCE
Drama for the World Champion, Aprilia march on, and a Quartararo top five. Plenty to shout about then for the home fans at Le Mans (and the millions around the world) as we now debrief and strap in for Grand Prix Sunday at Le Mans.
Izan Guevara (28) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Pramac
Izan Guevara earned pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday afternoon at Le Mans, in France. Riding his BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Boscoscuro on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard turned a 1:33.910 to top the field of 28 riders.
Daniel Holgado was second-best with a 1:33.996 on his CFMOTO Inde Aspar Kalex.
Filip Salac claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:34.020 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
Barry Baltus finished the session fourth with a lap time of 1:34.076 on his REDS Fantic Racing Kalex.
Championship point leader, Manuel Gonzalez qualified fifth on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP with a time of 1:34.076.
Salac’s teammate, American Joe Roberts, qualified sixth with a time of 1:34.090
On song Guevara clinches debut Moto2 pole. The Spaniard converts his Practice pace into a Saturday afternoon P1, as Holgado and Salač make up the front row in Le Mans.
A 1:33.910, a new Moto2 all-time lap record at Le Mans, was enough to see Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) earn a debut pole position in the class. The margin to P2 was tight, 0.086s to be exact, with Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) launching from P2, and having had a nightmare start to the weekend on Friday with technical issues and a big crash, Filip Salač (OnlyFans American Racing Team) clinched his first front row of the season in P3.
Spearheading the second row of the grid will be Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing), but the Belgian – who has had great pace all weekend – suffered a Turn 6 crash in Q2 that saw him head to the medical centre for a check-up. A late lap from Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) saw the championship frontrunner climb from outside the top 10 to P5, with Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) securing his best qualifying result of the year in P6.
Despite his injury troubles this weekend, David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) came through Q1 to secure P7, with back-to-back Moto2 winner Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) forced to settle for P11 – even though the rider second in the standings sits just 0.283s away from pole position.
Tune into the Moto2 race from 12:15 local time on Sunday!
Adrian Fernandez (31) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Leopard Racing
Adrian Fernandez earned pole position during Moto3 World Championship qualifying Saturday afternoon at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Leopard Racing Honda on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard topped the 26-rider field with a lap time of 1:40.044.
Maximo Quiles was the best of the rest with a 1:40.184 on his CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team KTM, and Joel Kelso claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:40.204 on his GRYD MLav Racing Honda.
Row-two qualifiers included Quiles’ teammate Marco Morelli (1:40.260), Liqui Moly Dynavolt IntactGP’s David Munoz (1:40.280) and Honda Team Asia’s Veda Pratama (1:40.304).
Fernandez takes last gasp pole in France. The Leopard Racing rider denies Quiles late on in Le Mans.
Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) made a late dash to grab pole position in Le Mans, putting in a 1:40.044 to deny Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) by just under a tenth and a half. Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLav Racing) takes third place to compete the front row for the French GP.
Q1 was equally decided late on as Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) topped the pile, moving through along with Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power), Cormac Buchanan (CODE Motorsports) and Guido Pini (Leopard Racing).
Once Q2 was underway, it looked a dead cert for Quiles to take pole after a late lap cancellation for Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) demoted him, but Fernandez was on flyer – and he kept it together to take over on top, denying Quiles. Kelso takes third.
Marco Morelli (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) heads Row 2 ahead of David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) and Indonesian Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia). Uriarte ultimately ended up P7, just ahead of teammate Carpe, with Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP-MTA) taking P9 to round out Row 3. Eddie O’Shea (GRYD – MLav Racing) completes the top ten.
Francesco Bagnaia (63) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Francesco Bagnaia claimed pole position during MotoGP qualifying Saturday at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26 on the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) track, Bagnaia turned a 1:29.634 to top the 22-rider field. This is Bagnaia’s first pole position since the 2025 Malaysian Grand Prix.
His teammate, Marc Marquez was the best of the rest with a 1:29.646.
Marco Bezzecchi claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:29.657 on his Aprilia Racing RS-GP26.
Row-two qualifiers included Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati’s Fabio Di Giannantonio (1:29.699), Red Bull KTM’s Pedro Acosta (1:29.817) and Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo (1:29.831).
Bagnaia denies Marc Marquez for Le Mans pole. A first pole of the 2026 campaign kept his teammate at bay despite the #93 putting in a new lap record to graduate through Q1 into pole position contention.
Sparks were always going to fly in qualifying at Le Mans and we weren’t disappointed. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) claimed a first pole of the season with a final flying lap to halt a Q1 to pole charge from teammate Marc Marquez, whilst it’s Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) who rounds out a powerhouse of a front row.
The Q1 big hitters were out in force immediately as the clock ticked down and the home crowd were expectant of last year’s polesitter Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) to go through. ‘El Diablo’ delivered the goods, originally setting a flurry of lap times good enough for provisional pole before a certain reigning World Champion had something to say about it. Marc Marquez shattered the lap record with a mega lap at the end of the session, giving him P1 ahead of Quartararo as both moved into Q2.
So, both home representatives in Q2, along with the reigning World Champion, the top three in the standings and all after the closest Friday in MotoGP history, we were always going to get fireworks. Opening gambits laid out bare, Championship leader ‘Bez’ was provisional pole whilst Di Giannantonio was second and Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) third. Marc Marquez’s first attempt left him sixth whilst the home charge saw Quartararo P7 and Zarco P11. This was just the calm before the storm though, with time attack mode fully engaged and the quest for Le Mans pole success.
Second runs started and it was the #93 who was on a roll, charging into provisional pole whilst it was disaster for brother Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), who crashed at Turn 3. He was all OK but it hindered his session. Just when we thought it was all done and dusted, Bagnaia pulled out a heroic final role of the dice to deny teammate Marquez pole. Despite Di Giannantonio’s best efforts on his final run, he couldn’t hook up the final sector and will have to come from the second row of the grid.
A first pole position since Sepang last year, Bagnaia is in the driving seat going into the Sprint and Grand Prix. With Marc Marquez second, it’s a Ducati Lenovo Team 1-2 for the first time since Brno last year, whilst Bezzecchi snatched the final front row position. ‘Diggia’ had to settle for second whilst Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – despite a trip through the Turn 2 gravel – rounds out the top five. Pole last year and P6 this year, Quartararo can be pleased with his second top six qualifying display of the year.
Best Honda honours went to Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) in P7 whereas 2024 World Champion and French GP winner Martin starts eighth. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) starts ninth ahead of Alex Marquez, home-hero Zarco and Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
Fabio Quartararo (20) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy MotoGP
Fabio Quartararo led MotoGP World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday morning at Le Mans, in France. Riding his Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1 V4 on spec Michelin tires, the Frenchman turned a lap time of 1:30.580 to lead the 22-rider field.
Francesco Bagnaia was the best of the rest with a 1:30.646 on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Fabio Di Giannantonio was third at 1:30.761 on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati Desmosedici GP26.
Ai Ogura finished the session fourth with a 1:30.766 on his Aprilia Trackhouse RS-GP26 and his teammate, Raul Fernandez got fifth with a lap time of 1:30.836.
Izan Guevara (28) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Pramac
Izan Guevara led Moto2 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday morning, at Le Mans, in France. The Spaniard used his Pirelli-shod BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Boscoscuro to lap the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) track in 1:33.931, which led the field of 28 riders and broke Manuel Gonzalez’s All-Time Lap Record of 1:34.315 from 2025.
Barry Baltus was the best of the rest with a 1:34.268 on his REDS Fantic Racing Kalex.
Filip Salac was third-fastest with a 1:34.425 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
American Joe Roberts and Salac’s teammate, finished Saturday morning’s practice session 7th with a best time of 1:34.582.
Adrian Fernandez (31) at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Leopard Racing
Adrian Fernandez led Moto3 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Saturday morning, at Le Mans, in France. Fernandez used his Pirelli-shod Leopard Racing Honda to lap the 2.6-mile (4.19 km) track in 1:40.255 to lead the field of 26 riders.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe was second-best with a time of 1:40.507.
Adrian Cruces, piloting his CIP Green Power KTM, claimed the third and final spot on the front with a lap time of 1:40.534.
May is AMA Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month. Photo courtesy AMA.
AMA’s annual initiative aims to get kids aboard two wheels this month.
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Now in its fourth year, The American Motorcyclist Association’s annual AMA Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month is a nationwide campaign geared toward the next generation of riders while aiming to get America’s youth on motorcycles.
During AMA Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month, the AMA will work closely with its racing and recreational riding organizers on riding initiatives for children and give them controlled environments where they can ride.
“The future of motorcycling hinges on raising America’s youth on two wheels,” AMA Director of Marketing and Communications Joy Burgess said. “AMA Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month has grown with each passing year, serving its purpose to cultivate the future of our sport through our nation’s kids. We are so grateful to our organizers and all of the kids that get out and ride; they make this month so special!”
The AMA will work alongside its organizers and partners to promote Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month via numerous methods, including social media campaigns, marketing efforts and more to educate people about the benefits of getting kids on motorcycles.
AMA Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month would not be possible without our outstanding partners throughout the motorcycle industry, including Denago, STACYC, Yamaha, Cobra, Honda, Turn 14 Distribution, Guts Racing, ASV, Brake Free, SSR, Beta and Baxley.
Take A Kid Dirt Biking Month events will take place throughout May, hosted by several organizers throughout the country. However, kids do not need to attend an organized event to get involved. To participate, kids simply need to get out and ride in the month of May and submit a photo or video at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/take-a-kid-dirt-biking-photo-submissions/. By sharing photos, kids will have the opportunity to be featured on the AMA’s social media, website and in the American Motorcyclist magazine. They’ll also have a chance to win a STACYC bike and other prizes.
As part of AMA Take a Kid Dirt Biking Month, the third issue of American Motorcyclist For Kids is now available! This edition highlights the incredible children — and a few adults — that impact motorcycling as racers, advocates and riders. Read the issue at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/american-motorcyclist-for-kids/.
Mike Kidd (No. 72), 1981 AMA Grand National Champion and 1998 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee. Photo by AMA Pro Racing.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 8, 2026) – AMA Pro Racing joins the motorcycle racing community in mourning the passing of Mike Kidd, the 1981 AMA Grand National Champion, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer, race promoter, series builder, and former AMA Pro Racing executive. Kidd was 72.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Kidd authored one of the most respected careers in American motorcycle racing, first as a rider who overcame repeated adversity to reach the sport’s highest level, and later as a promoter and executive who helped shape the future of flat track and indoor motorcycle racing.
Kidd turned professional in 1972 and quickly established himself among the elite riders of the Grand National era. His first AMA Grand National victory came at the 1974 Charity Newsies Half Mile in Columbus, Ohio, and he went on to collect 12 AMA national wins during his professional racing career.
His greatest competitive triumph came in 1981. Riding for the Lawwill/Roberts team, Kidd earned eight podium finishes and victories at the Ascot Park TT national and the Du Quoin Mile. The championship battle came down to the final race at Ascot Park, where Kidd finished second to secure the AMA Grand National Championship by five points over Gary Scott.
After the 1981 title, Kidd joined Honda’s newly formed dirt track effort and played an important role in the development of machinery that would help power Honda riders to multiple Grand National Championships in the years that followed.
Kidd retired from professional racing after the 1983 season, but his influence on the sport only expanded. He was named AMA Promoter of the Year in 1984, built and operated Boyd Raceway in Texas, and created the AMA National Arenacross Series in 1985. He later worked as a vice president with Clear Channel Motor Sports and continued to shape motorcycle racing through event promotion, sponsorship development, and television initiatives.
Kidd also served the sport from within AMA Pro Racing, including leadership roles with AMA Pro Flat Track and later as AMA Pro Racing Director of Sales. Across those roles, he brought the same racer’s determination and promoter’s vision that defined his life in motorcycling.
Inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998, Kidd leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond his 1981 Grand National Championship. He was a racer, promoter, innovator, salesman, and advocate whose work helped sustain and grow the uniquely American discipline of flat track racing.
AMA Pro Racing extends its deepest condolences to Kidd’s family, friends, former competitors, colleagues, and the many fans whose lives he touched.
More, from a press release issued by the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame:
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame mourns the passing of Hall of Famer Mike Kidd, and extends its sincere condolences to his family and friends. He was 72.
Mike Kidd as a young dirt track racer. Photo courtesy AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.Mike Kidd (7) when he raced for Honda, circa 1980s. Photo courtesy AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
The 1981 AMA Grand National Champion, Kidd’s racing career was defined by his perseverance in the face of much adversity. Beyond his chops as a racer, Kidd was a top promoter of AMA races in the 1980s and 1990s, and founded the AMA Arenacross Series in 1985.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1953, Kidd’s love for racing started on four wheels, not two, where he saw great success, winning a national title in his age category. By the time he was 13, Kidd found his true calling on a motorcycle, competing in local dirt track and motocross races.
In 1972, Kidd turned pro, falling just short of a debut victory at the Houston Astrodome — registering a second-place finish behind fellow rookie and future AMA Hall of Famer Kenny Roberts.
In 1974, Kidd joined Triumph’s factory racing team and earned his first AMA Grand National victory at the Columbus, Ohio, Half-Mile.
Seven years later, and after enduring much misfortune out of his control, Kidd reached the pinnacle of his craft, winning the 1981 AMA Grand National Championship. He did so in dramatic fashion, entering the final race of the season at the Ascot Half-Mile in Gardena, Calif., in a tie with fellow AMA Hall of Famer Gary Scott. Kidd finished second in the tie-breaking race, but since Scott registered only a fourth-place finish, Kidd took the championship by a mere five points.
Kidd retired from racing in 1983, tallying a total of 12 AMA Grand National wins alongside his iconic 1981 title.
Kidd’s impact on the motorcycling community did not end there, however. In the 1980s and 1990s, Kidd became one of the leading promoters of AMA races in the country, going on to create the AMA Arenacross Series in 1985.
For his efforts as a racer and promoter, Kidd was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.
More from Mike kidd services info:
Dad’s arrangements:
Visitation will be Monday, May 11th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Coker Funeral Home
152 State Hwy 148
Jacksboro , TX
Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 12th at 1:00 PM, led by Chaplain Raymond Rizzo
Bible Baptist Church
241 W. Live Oak Street
Jacksboro, TX
Followed by graveside services and then a Celebration of Life at Jacksboro Golf & Country Club.
Please bring your favorite stories and memories to share at the Celebration of Life. Food will be provided, but if you feel led to bring something, you are more than welcome to.
Thank you all for the love, prayers, and support during this time. ❤️🏁
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