RACE Moto: Guerin vs. Dumas At Shannonville, Plus Kids On Minis

Mathilde Gasnier

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May 14, 2025

RACE Moto: Guerin vs. Dumas At Shannonville, Plus Kids On Minis

The Canadian road racing season opened in traditional fashion at Shannonville Motorsport Park May 9-11, with the newly formed RACE Moto sanctioning group staging their first event on the perimeter Pro version of the circuit.

In an event that serves as an unofficial warm-up for the next weekend’s opening Bridgestone CSBK National round, several National stalwarts battled the top Regional competitors. Conditions were generally good, but very cool in the mornings.

The 14 lap Lou-Anne Printing Superbike Feature race, held at the end of Sunday’s program, was won by the Econo Lube/Fast Company BMW M1000RR of former works Suzuki and Ducati rider Alex Dumas. The just completed BMW ran for the first time Friday, and Dumas steadily built his pace, at times over a second quicker than his 1000cc mounted rivals.

Over the weekend, Dumas often ran at the front battling the EFC BMW of Samuel Guerin. Both Dumas and Guerin are based near Quebec City. Like Dumas, Guerin had a pair of BMWs to test prior to the National and edged both the Sprint Cup races over Dumas. Sunday’s second Sprint Cup race, won by Guerin, was interrupted at the halfway mark by a Red Flag, so no show down was possible between the two pace setters.

Both Guerin (1:05.36) and Dumas lapped in the low 1:05 second lap range on a sunny but cool day. Last year, BMW mounted Ben Young started from pole position at the opening S.M.P. National with a lap at 1:05.27; Young has now signed with Honda Canada and was not on hand at Shannonville for the Regional.

In Lou-Anne Printing Pro Superbike, Dumas took advantage of Guerin’s decision not to compete (preplanned) and grabbed the hole shot, chased by reigning Regional Champ Eli Daccache on the Milwaukee Yamaha YZF-R1. Daccache stayed close, but didn’t challenge victor Dumas. Dumas was National spec Bridgestone shod, with Daccache on Pirelli rubber and third finisher Michael Leon using Dunlops.

Third in Pro Superbike was the Royal Distributing Pro 6 Cycle BMW of Leon, who at times during the event battled Daccache at a similar pace. Making his race debut on an ex-Ben Young banana yellow BMW, former middleweight front runner Zoltan Frast scored a strong fourth.

Matt Vanderhorst was a solid fifth, pulling away from Ernest Bernhard’s Yamaha. At the finish, Berhard was caught by Matthew Annable (Suz) and Chris Fehr (BMW), the trio finishing in a near dead heat. Fehr netted seventh by .7 of a second from Berhhard, while Annable was right there for eighth.

In the middleweight divisions, National stars ran up front: pictured in the Heavyweight race, No. 33 Econo Lube Ducati of Elliot Vierra heads National Champ No. 24 Suzuki of Seb Tremblay and the No. 91 Yamaha of unretired Matt Simpson. Photo by Colin Fraser.

The 600cc class Pro middleweight racers featured in Pro 6 Cycle Pro Supersport, unretired 2023 National Sport Bike runner up Matt Simpson piloting his Yamaha to a dominant win. Simpson race twice last year, at Daytona in March and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in August, and crew chief the rest of the season.

On Saturday, Brad Macrae won Supersport after a great dice with Simpson, but Macrae opted not to ride Sunday, where rookie Pro Matt Hooper took his Yamaha to second after a good dice with third placed Rob Massicotte, also aboard a R6, for a Yamaha sweep of the podium. Missing 2024 due to arm injuries, Macrae turned heads in the opener with laps in the 1:07 flat range on his Yamaha YZF-R6.

In the Heavyweight class, the Middleweight division front runners were joined by the “Generation Two” entries, including Ducati’s potent 955 Desmo v-twin. Early in Sunday’s Heavyweight race, reigning Pro Sport Bike Champ Sebastien Tremblay worked his way to the front on the Turcotte Performance Suzuki GSX-R750.

However, Tremblay fell from first with no real damage after bottoming his front fork, setting up a dice for the lead between Simpson and the GP Bikes/Econo Lube Ducati of Elliot Vierra.

After a good battle, Vieira got in front for good with just over a lap to go, Vierra taking his second class win of the weekend, Simpson just .2 of a second back in second place. Nathan Playford pushed his Ducati to a solid third, ahead of the Yamaha of Alexis Beaudoin. Best middleweight lap of this race was Tremblay at 1:06.9, while Vierra and Simpson battled in the mid 1:07 range.

More from a press release issued by MiniSBK :

2025 Motul MiniSBK at RACE Moto Shannonville Opener

Stockill Continues to Set Mini Pace.

Last November, Jager Stockill was in Aragon, Spain, representing Canada in the FIM MiniGP World Championships aboard a spec Pirelli shod Ohvale 160. Since then, he has played hockey over the winter and then emerged from hibernation to co-ride to the 3 Hour Endurance race victory last weekend at Brechin, ON., near Orillia. Stockill shared his success with former top CSBK National Pro and factory Yamaha racer and current Super Sonic roadrace School instructor Jake Leclair.

Start of race two for Motul MiniSBK at Shannonville Motorsport Park, with No. 68 Jager Stockill, the eventual victor, leading the similar Ohvale 160s of No. 15 Stefan Tanasic and No.111 Eric Sergi.Image by Colin Fraser — Start of race two for Motul MiniSBK at Shannonville Motorsport Park, with No. 68 Jager Stockill, the eventual victor, leading the similar Ohvale 160s of No. 15 Stefan Tanasic and No.111 Eric Sergi.
Photo by Colin Fraser

This weekend, Stockill was at Shannonville Motorsport Park for the revamped RACE Moto Regional opener and dominated both of Saturday’s debut 12 lap races for the MiniSBK competitors. The event marked the launch of smaller-wheeled racers among the “big bikes” at S.M.P.’s permitter Pro circuit – the MiniSBK riders using the infield go-kart version of the original Nelson layout, first used back in 1976.

Fastest during o\icial testing on Friday, May 9, Stockill was the pace setter in Saturday’s o\icial Q sessions, with a lap of 50.516, followed by the similar Ohvale 160 of rookie Stefan Tanasic at 53.5 and Ted Mota’s YCF super moto at 53.34 to complete the front row of the grid.

Stockhill set a blistering pace in the opening twelve lap race, turning a best lap of 50.45 and lapping up to second placed Tanasic. Mota netted third, while Eric Sergi placed fourth and Honda mounted Sean Whitloch turned the fifth-best time.

In race two, Stockill quickly took command and took o\, once again lapping at 50.516 in a very consistent e\ort. Tanasic and Mota entertained the “fans in the stands” with a near race long battle for second between the tucked-in racer style machine of Tanasic and the “sit up” entry of Mota. At the finish, after several passes, Tanasic earned second by .14 of a second from the charging Mota.

Sergi was a lap down in fourth, Whitloch placing fifth for the second time Saturday afternoon.

The MiniSBK Series returns to Shannonville with a RACE Moto hosted event June 13 and 14, for an event that also includes qualifying for the U.S.-based Mission MotoAmerica MiniCup events.

Canadian Supersport: Preview Of The Opening Race At Shannonville

Mathilde Gasnier

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May 14, 2025

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Canadian Supersport: Preview Of The Opening Race At Shannonville

Supersport Preview: Tremblay begins title defence against revamped group in SMP opener

Hamilton, ON – The most unpredictable class in Canadian racing will finally be back on track this week, as the rebranded Pro Supersport category will return to Shannonville Motorsport Park for the opening round of the 2025 Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship season, May 16-18.

Reigning champion Sebastien Tremblay will remain the odds-on favourite to defend his #1 plate after a clinical 2024, winning five times and taking nine podiums to secure his second career title and first since joining Turcotte Performance Suzuki.

The Mirabel, Quebec native has made it no secret that he wants to go down as the winningest rider in Supersport history, currently sitting third on the all-time list with 17 victories (trailing only Jordan Szoke and Steve Crevier), leaving him just as motivated as ever entering a new campaign at SMP.

The venue wasn’t always kind to Tremblay early in his career – especially compared to his impressive resumé at other circuits – but you wouldn’t know it given his last three trips to Shannonville, winning four out of six races since the 2023 finale.

Three of those wins admittedly came on the interior “long track” layout as opposed to the perimeter “pro track” configuration the series will be using in 2025, though a pair of epic battles with four-time Canada Cup winner Ben Young on the pro track last season showcased his capabilities on either layout.

Despite all of this, the Supersport class has reminded fans of one thing over and over again in recent years: don’t discount anybody.

That’s especially true in 2025 with perhaps the deepest grid in the series, one that includes at least eight different pro race winners.

Tops amongst them will be 2024’s “super-sub” Trevor Daley, who didn’t contest the full campaign but made every lap count when he was in the CSBK paddock.

The OneSpeed Suzuki rider won three times and scored five podiums in his six appearances, finishing fifth in the championship despite missing two rounds.

One of those absences was the season opener on SMP’s pro track, but there’s enough track record with Daley to know he will be fast on any day at any venue, something that will be welcome news to Suzuki as they chase a second consecutive Constructors Championship.

Suzuki will also welcome another title contender to the fold in John Laing, who departs Kawasaki to hop aboard a GSX-R750 this season. The Vass Performance rider was the top “old-gen” rider in 2024 but will now find himself on a more level playing field with Tremblay and company, representing Alberta’s best chance at a pro champion since Clint McBain in 2002.

The biggest x-factor on the grid will be the entry of Torin Collins, who makes his Supersport debut north of the border after racing full-time in the MotoAmerica category last season for Altus Suzuki.

Collins is well known to CSBK fans after his stunning wildcard victory in the Superbike class in Edmonton last season, and while a debut trip to SMP will mean learning the circuit for the first time in his career, a return aboard his familiar Suzuki GSX-R750 will make him another threat to win on pure talent alone.

Ending the run of Suzuki favourites will be local star Brad Macrae, who leads the charge of the old-gen machines for Colron Excavating Yamaha. After initial plans of running the new powerhouse R9 fell through, Macrae will instead return to the series aboard his familiar R6 with which he scored his first career victory at Shannonville in 2023.

Macrae missed all of 2024 after an injury suffered in the Daytona 200 and will undoubtedly be at a disadvantage against the new-gen Suzuki’s and Ducati’s, but his expertise around his home circuit will still make him a dark horse for a second career win for Yamaha.

Leading off the next group of challengers will be one of Tremblay’s former title rivals in Elliot Vieira, who will be looking to make up for a difficult 2024 as the lead Ducati. Vieira joined the juggernaut Economy Lube Ducati program midway through last season but struggled to find consistency, totalling four DNF’s in a five-race span.

A return to his privateer V2 Panigale may be all Vieira needs to remind the paddock of just how fast he is, having scored 14 podiums over the last three seasons – second to only Tremblay in that span – including four podiums at SMP.

Presumably absent from at least the first round will be Vieira’s former Economy Lube Ducati teammate Mavrick Cyr, who was arguably 2024’s biggest breakout star as he earned six podiums and an impressive victory at AMP to finish second in the championship as a rookie.

The 20-year-old has parted ways with Economy Lube and last raced in the Twins class in MotoAmerica aboard an Aprilia, leaving his status for the Supersport opener up in the air.

The last of the former winners expected to line up on the grid this weekend include teenage star Andrew Van Winkle and another previous vice-champion in Matt Simpson, who shouldn’t be discounted from a return to the top of the box despite old-gen machinery.

Van Winkle will hop aboard a GSX-R600 with the help of Marco Sousa and his Suzuki Canada program, who has supported Van Winkle’s entry into the Supersport category despite racing against him, finishing eighth in last year’s championship.

The 18-year-old Van Winkle didn’t race the opening round at SMP last season before scoring a historic victory and five podiums in the last seven races of 2024, and the former Twins champion will hope to continue that form into 2025.

As for Simpson, the 2023 runner-up only raced once last season – a quietly solid trip to CTMP aboard his underpowered Evans Racing Yamaha – but three podiums in his last four races at Shannonville cannot be ignored.

The rebranded Supersport category will officially get underway with Friday morning practice at Shannonville Motorsport Park, just an hour east of Kingston, Ontario, before a pair of thrilling races on the weekend.

Canadian Superbike: Preview Of The Opening Race At Shannonville

Mathilde Gasnier

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May 14, 2025

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Canadian Superbike: Preview Of The Opening Race At Shannonville

Superbike Preview: Young, Dumas usher in new era as wide-open grid heads to Shannonville

Hamilton, ON – The long offseason for the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship is finally over, but the feature GP Bikes Pro Superbike class is going to look much different when they return to the track for round one this weekend at Shannonville Motorsport Park.

Two of the biggest moves in recent memory have seen the last two Canada Cup winners change programs for 2025, with reigning champion (and four-time winner) Ben Young leaving BMW after nearly a decade together to join Honda, while Dumas departs Ducati after only four rounds to take Young’s place at BMW.

The latter move was unsurprising, as the BMW Motorrad program has become synonymous with winning in Canada – taking 11 of the last 14 riders championships and three consecutive constructors titles – and Dumas will give them a great shot at continuing that success alongside last year’s runner-up Sam Guerin.

It’s Young’s switch to Honda that caught many off guard, as one of the greatest riders in CSBK history – still very much in his prime at 31 years old – will join forces with a brand that hasn’t won a single race in over ten years and has just one podium finish since 2016.

That being said, the newest iteration of the CBR1000RR-R is a significant upgrade on its predecessors, and if anyone can make an unfamiliar machine work it is likely Young, who has starred at the Daytona 200 and Suzuka 8 Hours in recent years and has an excellent Van Dolder’s Home Team crew behind him.

Young also holds an excellent record at Shannonville, winning six times (including three on the faster “pro track” layout that CSBK will be using for round one) and missing the podium only twice in 13 appearances there.

CSBK Superbike championship runner-up in 2024, Sam Guérin (2) will return this season on his familiar BMW machinery looking to build on his two feature class wins from last year in his bid for the championship. Photo by Rob O'Brien / Courtesy CSBK — CSBK Superbike championship runner-up in 2024, Sam Guérin (2) will return this season on his familiar BMW machinery looking to build on his two feature class wins from last year in his bid for the championship. Photo by Rob O’Brien / Courtesy CSBK

As for Dumas, the 2021 champion has also proven himself for multiple brands, winning extensively for Suzuki before taking a pair of victories for Ducati last season, a bike that proved to be very fast but was plagued with mechanical issues – a concern he likely won’t have on the factory-backed M1000RR.

Dumas’ history at SMP might seem less positive than Young’s, having famously crashed out of the title fight at this venue in 2023, but his four wins in seven career races paint a different picture, including a sweep on the pro track to begin 2023.

This means that it’s less of a question of “if” Young and Dumas will win for their new teams, and more of a matter of “when” they get up to speed – a crucial question for their title challengers entering round one.

Leading that group is Sam Guerin, one of the breakout stars of 2024 as he scored his first two career Superbike victories and finished as the vice-champion to Young in the overall standings, pushing the title fight right to the final round.

Guerin will be back aboard his familiar EFC Group BMW and will be able to build upon his 2024 setup from Shannonville, where he took a pair of second-place finishes on the pro track last season.

It was this layout where Guerin nearly scored his first career win in 2023, leading Dumas in the rain before crashing out, and he will have a golden opportunity to make up for it this season as he chases his first ever Canada Cup.

The new-look grid could also play into the hands of the winningest rider in both CSBK and Shannonville history, as Jordan Szoke will lead a retooled but mostly similar Canadian Kawasaki Motors effort.

Szoke looked the most like his old self in 2024 after suffering career-altering injuries just three seasons ago, scoring four podiums and finishing in the top-four in every single race to claim third in the overall championship.

A new and improved ZX-10RR machine, combined with improving health and fitness, will give Szoke all the tools he needs to win once again in 2025, and there may not be a better circuit for the 14-time Canada Cup winner to do so at then “The Birthplace of Champions.”

2024 Pro Rookie of the Year Connor Campbell will continue in 2025 with Kawasaki support after finishing seventh in the championship last season. Photo by Rob O'Brien / courtesy CSBK — 2024 Pro Rookie of the Year Connor Campbell will continue in 2025 with Kawasaki support after finishing seventh in the championship last season. Photo by Rob O’Brien / courtesy CSBK

The ultimate wildcard in the championship picture will be Trevor Daley, who only contested part of the 2024 campaign and yet put together perhaps the best season of his impressive career with his first two Superbike victories for OneSpeed Suzuki.

Should Daley run the full slate of races this season, it will be impossible not to consider him a true championship contender right from day one at Shannonville, a track where he nearly swept the Supersport finale last season.

Looking to join the “big four” this season will be former Honda flag-bearer David MacKay, who may actually benefit from the addition of Young as his unofficial running mate aboard the CBR1000RR-R.

After winning the 2023 Pro Supersport championship, MacKay graduated full-time to Superbike and didn’t look out of place at all for ODH Snow City Cycle Honda, finishing in the top-six on eight occasions and fifth overall in the championship as he looks to build upon that in his second feature class campaign.

Another dark horse podium contender will be the last factory-backed machine of Connor Campbell, who will pilot the B&T MacFarlane/CKM Kawasaki as Szoke’s unofficial teammate once again in 2025.

Campbell claimed the Pro Rookie of the Year award last season by finishing seventh in the overall championship, running consistently in the top-ten all year after graduating to Superbike near the end of 2023, and an intense offseason training program may be enough to push Campbell firmly into the podium mix right away at Shannonville.

The feature class will get underway with Friday morning practice at the SMP opener, May 16-18, just an hour west of Kingston, Ontario.

More information can be found on the series’ official website.

MotoGP : More On Zarco’s Historic Win At Le Mans

Mathilde Gasnier

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May 14, 2025

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MotoGP : More On Zarco’s Historic Win At Le Mans

CHAPEAU: Zarco emerges victorious in history-making French GP

For the first time since 1954, a French MotoGP rider wins on home turf in an unbelievably dramatic Grand Prix at Le Mans.

Flippin’ phenomenal. A day Johann Zarco, LCR Honda Castrol and a record-breaking Michelin Grand Prix of France crowd will never forget. For the first time since 1954, 71 years ago, a French MotoGP rider wins on home turf after a wet tyre gamble from Zarco sees the #5 beat second place Marc Marquez(Ducati Lenovo Team) by nearly 20 seconds. The #93 gains important points in the title chase as both Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) fail to score points on a hugely dramatic Sunday afternoon, which saw Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) claim a debut MotoGP rostrum.

A RED-FLAGGED START AS RAIN FALLS

Tensions were at an all-time high in the lead up to lights out as light rain scattered the Le Mans circuit in the build up. Heading onto the warm up lap, with everyone on Michelin’s slick tyres, it was then abundantly clear that was the wrong tyre to be on. Polesitter Quartararo was nearly down at Turn 3 and at the end of the warm up lap, unsurprisingly, every rider peeled into pit lane and that brought out the red flags due to an excessive number of riders at pit lane exit as we then set ourselves for a quick restart procedure at the French GP. The Grand Prix was also reduced by one lap to 26, with a wet race declared – that meant riders could come in and change their bikes at any moment once we got underway.

And there was more drama at the end of the sighting lap. More than half the grid, including Quartararo, Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez, were in while Bagnaia stayed on the grid.

LIGHTS OUT AND IMMEDIATE DRAMA

Eventually we were lights out and underway and as he was in the Sprint, Bagnaia was down at Turn 3 on Lap 1! Meanwhile, Quartararo led from Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez, Aldeguer was fourth as Bagnaia made it back to pit lane to jump onto his dry weather bike. The Italian was miles behind but having pitted at the end of the sighting lap, over half the grid had double Long Lap penalties to take.

Quartararo, having led by over a second, was the first of the front runners to dive into the Long Lap loop. Alex Marquez, Aldeguer – who had passed Marc Marquez – and Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) were the next to come in, but Marc Marquez didn’t. This happened after Bagnaia had been lapped – a disaster for Pecco, who then came in for dry tyres. A decision that would prove costly again soon after.

HOME HEARTBREAK TO ELATION: QUARTARARO CRASHES, ZARCO LEADS

Then, heartbreak. Quartararo was down at the final corner and so was Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) right behind the Frenchman. Gutting for the 100,000+ crowd, but back on circuit, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Viñales were back in the pit lane to switch back onto wet tyres.

Where to look? Marc and Alex were next to come in and that left Aldeguer leading the Grand Prix by over 12 seconds, but now, the rookie was clearly on the wrong tyre – and sure enough, the #54 came in on the next lap.

Right, where were we? Well, to the delight of the French faithful, Zarco led the French Grand Prix! The #5 had stuck it out on the wet weather tyres and he was leading by seven seconds over Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), the Portuguese rider had done the same as Zarco, with Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez pressing Oliveira on Lap 9 of 26.

HOW THE FRENCH GP WAS WON

The brothers passed a struggling Oliveira with ease and with 17 laps to go, the gap between leader Zarco and the Marquez duo was 8.5s. That grew to nine seconds with 15 laps to go, then it was 9.3s as Zarco churned out low 1:46s, with Marquez near enough matching the home hero. Alex Marquez was losing touch on the #93, but the #73 had a six second buffer to fourth place Acosta.

With 11 laps to go, Zarco was marching towards an astonishing home Grand Prix victory. The gap had risen to 11.5s, then it was 12.4s as Zarco lapped at least a second quicker than anyone else on track. That trend continued as the advantage rose to over 14 seconds with seven laps as we witnessed two crashes – first Oliveria was down at the final corner, then Alex Marquez crashed at Turn 3. Luckily the former Championship leader remounted, and such were the gaps between a lot of riders, the Spanish GP winner re-joined the Grand Prix in P6. That off promoted Acosta to P3.

Having got back into the race, Alex Marquez was in the gravel again and unfortunately that was his French GP done. But Gresini’s podium hopes weren’t over because Aldeguer was catching Acosta at a rapid rate of knots. With two laps left, the rookie was right on the back of Acosta and at the front, Zarco’s lead was 19 seconds. The Frenchman simply had to nurse his Honda to the chequered flag.

Aldeguer did get Acosta but it was all eyes on the #5. One lap left Johann! And he brought it home. The roof was raised at Le Mans because for the first time since 1954, a French MotoGP rider clinched victory on home turf. Unbelievable. What a moment for Zarco, LCR Honda and the record-breaking French GP crowd.

Marc Marquez crossed the line 19.9s away from Zarco to collect a massive 20 points, with Aldeguer backing up his Saturday bronze medal with a debut MotoGP podium. What a weekend for the rookie.

YOUR FRENCH GP POINTS SCORERS

Acosta had to settle for P4 after he couldn’t live with Aldeguer’s late race pace, as Viñales handed KTM a double top five in France. Honda HRC Test Team’s Takaaki Nakagami took a magnificent P6 in his first wildcard ride for the Japanese factory, as Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) picked up his season best Sunday result in P7.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) rounded out the top 10, with Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol), Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) closed out the points, with Bagnaia acting as the final finisher in P16.

Just… wow. Johann Zarco is a winner at home in MotoGP. A Sunday that will go down in history for more reasons than one. Le Mans, you were simply incredible. Again.

Silverstone, you’re up.

For full results, click HERE!

Postcards from the Le Mans podium, from left to right, Fermin Aldeguer (P.3), Johann Zarco (P.1) and Marc Marquez (P.2). Photo courtesy Dorna. — Postcard from the Le Mans podium, from left to right, Fermin Aldeguer (P.3), Johann Zarco (P.1) and Marc Marquez (P.2). Photo courtesy Dorna.

ALL-TIME RECORD: more than 300,000 fans make history at Le Mans!

When we said they raise the roof in Le Mans, we weren’t joking. The raucous noise throughout the weekend at the Michelin Grand Prix of France teased an incredible attendance figure and it is a new all-time record.

311,797 fans have come to the iconic track during the event, making it the first time MotoGP has welcomed more than 300,000 fans to a Grand Prix. All that’s left to say is: MERCI !

Rider of the Race: could it be anyone but Zarco?

Rider of the Race is new for 2025 and after its debut at Jerez, where Fabio Quartararo took the honour, it went the way of history-making race winner Johann Zarco at Le Mans. Find out more about Rider of the Race HERE!

More from a press release from CASTROL Honda LCR:

Johann Zarco takes tremendous victory at Le Mans.

CASTROL Honda LCR rider Johann Zarco has claimed a historic victory at the French Grand Prix, securing a long-awaited home win in his 150th MotoGP race start.

Johann Zarco on the podium after his French victory.

Zarco delivered an emotional and strategic performance at Le Mans, making the crucial decision to switch to the wet bike early, a move that proved decisive as weather conditions worsened and the race grew increasingly intense.

Johann Zarco won the race with 20 seconds over Marc Marquez.

The Frenchman won the race with a dominant 20-second lead over the rider in second place, Marc Marquez, maintaining a consistent and fast pace throughout the whole race.

After crossing the finish line as the winner, Johann Zarco stopped to enjoy the victory with members of the Castrol LCR Honda team.

This win marks Honda’s first MotoGP victory since the Americas Grand Prix in 2023 (Alex Rins), breaking a lengthy drought for the manufacturer.

All the Castrol LCR Honda Team is here to congratulate Zarco for his win.

In front of thousands of cheering fans, Zarco etched his name into Le Mans history, a moment of pure joy for French motorsport and a milestone in his career.
With this result, Zarco now stands 6th in the MotoGP World Championship standings, the highest-ranked Honda rider so far this season.

Zarco leading the MotoGP race Sunday at Le Mans.

Johann Zarco – winner : “There are no words to express what I felt today. We didn’t expect to win, and doing it on home soil is something truly incredible and emotional. It was a long and intense race, but the strategy we applied as a team really paid off. I took a gamble, as the forecast predicted rain, and today, we made the right call. Winning with Honda is something I’ve been aiming for, and now we’ve done it. Huge thanks to the team, to my parents who were here to experience the Grand Prix with me, to HRC, to the sponsors, and to everyone who’s supported us. This is a day I’ll never forget”

HDR Foundation to Fund All Kids Bike Program to Empower Kindergarten Students

Mathilde Gasnier

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May 13, 2025

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HDR Foundation to Fund All Kids Bike Program to Empower Kindergarten Students

All Kids Bike is on a mission to teach every child in America how to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class.

Winchester, CA – May 12, 2025: The HDR Foundation, in partnership with All Kids Bike, is pleased to announce the expansion of the All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program to Temecula Valley Charter School in Winchester. This initiative, made possible by a generous donation from the HDR Foundation, seeks to impart the joy of bike riding and promote essential life skills among young learners.

In a demonstration of commitment to education, healthy communities and environmental stewardship, the Foundation has contributed $324,000 to All Kids Bike for the 2024-25 school year. This substantial donation will support 36 schools across the United States, specifically in areas where HDR employees live and work. The cumulative support from the HDR Foundation to All Kids Bike now exceeds $800,000 over the past three school years.

The comprehensive program includes teacher training and certification, complete curriculum with lesson plans, games and activities, a fleet of 24 Strider balance-to-pedal bikes, pedal conversion kits, fully adjustable student helmets, an instructor bike with pedal conversion kit and helmet, two rolling storage racks, and access to a resource portal with live support for the life of the program. Temecula Valley Charter School celebrated the introduction of the program with a kickoff event alongside HDR representatives, who had the opportunity to build the bikes for the program beforehand.

“By funding All Kids Bike, HDR is helping children discover the joy of cycling,” said Anna Lantin, HDR’s Southern California Area Operations Manager. “Supporting this initiative, we are fostering healthier lifestyles and stronger communities.

Lisa Weyer, executive director of the Strider Education Foundation, expressed appreciation for the partnership with the HDR Foundation, emphasizing the transformative impact of early bike riding education. “Learning to ride a bike empowers children with a positive foundation for a lifelong skill. Bike riding develops physical and mental well-being, instills confidence and fosters better classroom focus.” At Temecula Valley Charter School, this program will positively impact approximately 75 kindergarten students each year by teaching them how to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class. With a lifespan of 7-10 years for the equipment, it is estimated that up to 750 students will benefit from this initiative over the next decade.

“We sincerely thank HDR for their generous donation of the All Kids Bike Program,” stated Temecula Valley Charter School Superintendent, Dr. Charity Plaxton-Hennings. “This program will provide our students with a new and exciting way to engage in physical activity, build self-esteem, and develop a lifelong passion for health and fitness. We are so excited to share in the joy the students will experience as they utilize this gift.”

The HDR Foundation and All Kids Bike are committed to enriching the lives of young learners and cultivating valuable skills through the joy of bike riding. This collaborative effort exemplifies their dedication to building healthier, happier communities, one pedal at a time.

ABOUT ALL KIDS BIKE

The All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program launched in 2018 with a simple mission: to give every child in America the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike in school. The comprehensive program includes teacher training and certification, complete curriculum with lesson plans, games and activities, a fleet of 24 Strider balance-to-pedal bikes, pedal conversion kits, fully adjustable student helmets, an instructor bike with pedal conversion kit and helmet, two rolling storage racks, and access to a resource portal with live support for the life of the program, everything needed to teach kids how to ride a bike! Supported by the Strider Education Foundation, All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Programs are active in over 1,600 schools across all 50 states, teaching more than 160,000 kids to ride each year and over 1 million kids throughout the 10-year lifespan of the programs already in place. For more information, please visit www.allkidsbike.org.

About HDR 

HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world, we are now a global company specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges. 

About the HDR Foundation

The HDR Foundation provides grants to qualified organizations that align with HDR’s areas of expertise: education, healthy communities and environmental stewardship. As an employee-funded and employee-driven foundation, preference is given to organizations located in communities in which HDR employees live and work, and those with strong employee involvement. Since its inception, the HDR Foundation has provided more than $11 million in grants to nearly 400 organizations. Learn more at https://www.hdrinc.com/about-us/hdr-foundation.

Triumph Introduces Limited Edition 2026 Speed Triple 1200 RX

Michael Gougis

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May 13, 2025

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Triumph Introduces Limited Edition 2026 Speed Triple 1200 RX

Triumph Motorcycles has unveiled an exclusive new Speed Triple 1200 RX for model year 2026, limited to just 1200 motorcycles worldwide.

With a fully focused riding position delivered by more aggressive, sportier ergonomics, the new Speed Triple 1200 RX is the ultimate incarnation of the Speed Triple, with even more of the state-of-the-art electronics and technology that has impressed customers since the launch of the Speed Triple 1200 RS in March.

The RX limited edition delivers absolute focus with clip-ons and a machined top yoke, which are 2.71” (69mm) lower and 2.04” (52mm) further forward than the 2025 Speed Triple 1200 RS. Adding to the more focused riding position, the footpegs on the RX are .57” (14.5mm) higher and 1” (25.5mm) further to the rear than the RS model.

The 2026 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RX features lower clip-on handlebars and more rearset footpegs. Photo courtesy Triumph.

Delivering absolute precision and control, the state-of-the-art Öhlins electronic suspension is enhanced with the Öhlins SD EC steering damper. The control of the electronic damper is integrated seamlessly with the Ohlins Smart EC3 system to deliver light, agile handling and optimum stability, and it can be adjusted via the Öhlins Objective Based Tuning Interface on the instruments. The pressurized design of the damper ensures no free-play in the system.

Fitted as standard on the RX, the new Akrapovič silencer features a titanium outer wrap and mounting bracket, a carbon fiber endcap and exhaust valve cover, and is finished with a laser etched Akrapovič logo. Enhancing both performance and comfort, an upgraded performance seat enhances rider movement when in the saddle and features an embossed RX logo.

The striking look of the RX is created with an exclusive Triumph Performance Yellow and Granite graphic scheme and white RX accents. The race-inspired carbon fiber front mudguard and tank bodywork add to the exclusivity of the design and to add even more impact, there is a Triumph Performance Yellow accent on the rear wheel.

Just like the new Speed Triple 1200 RS, the RX delivers unmatched triple power and torque, unequaled handling, and top of the range rider-focused technology. The 1160cc Triumph triple engine delivers relentless acceleration and performance with 180.5 HP (183PS) at 10,750 rpm and 94.4 ft-lb (128Nm) at 8,750 rpm.

Thrilling and utterly addictive, the three-cylinder engine delivers the ultimate blend of low-end drive and top-end punch, giving cutting-edge performance on the road and on the track, coupling instant throttle response with an effortlessly smooth power delivery. The revised dynamic crankshaft balancing strategy, which made its debut on the RS, provides a significant improvement in engine refinement.

The rider-focused package of equipment and technology on the new Speed Triple models puts the rider in control, offering exceptional levels of adjustment. The Öhlins latest-generation SmartEC3 semi-active suspension includes the cutting-edge Öhlins Objective Based Tuning Interface (OBTi), which allows riders to easily adjust the suspension’s dynamic damping characteristics in different riding scenarios.

There is also new independently adjustable Front Wheel Lift Control, Engine Braking Control and Brake Slide Assist, as well as fully adjustable cruise control. Brembo Stylema® calipers and a Brembo MCS span and ratio adjustable lever offer serious stopping power and a customizable feel, even during the most demanding riding. Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tires deliver racetrack performance in a fully street legal tire.

“The new Speed Triple 1200 RX offers the ultimate riding experience, both on the road and on the track. The extra technology, premium specification and more focused riding position will put this firmly on the wish list of every track day enthusiast. With just 1200 of these available around the world, customers who secure an early order will really stand out from the crowd,” says Paul Stroud, Chief Commercial Officer, Triumph Motorcycles.

MotoAmerica: Wayne Rainey Will Ride Again During Fundraiser At Laguna!

John Ulrich

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May 12, 2025

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MotoAmerica: Wayne Rainey Will Ride Again During Fundraiser At Laguna!

“Rainey’s Ride To The Races” To Feature Wayne Rainey On Track At Laguna Seca

Ride With The Legends, Q&A And Lunch At WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, And A Chance To See Wayne Rainey Ride Again

In the four previous editions of “Rainey’s Ride To The Races,” MotoAmerica fans have had the opportunity to spend an unforgettable day riding motorcycles with racing legends on the Monterey Peninsula and hanging out with those same racers at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. This year the tradition continues, but with one special addition: Wayne Rainey will take to the track on which he dominated Grand Prix racing in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with the three-time 500cc World Champion set to do a few laps over the course of the weekend on a custom-built Yamaha XSR900 GP

Last year’s “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” participants whoop it up pre-ride. This year’s ride on the Monterey Peninsula is scheduled for July 11, the day prior to MotoAmerica racing action at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Photo by Tucker Scott/MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is excited to announce that the fifth annual “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” will take place in conjunction with the fifth round of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

“Rainey’s Ride To The Races” will be held on Friday, July 11, the opening day of the fifth round of the MotoAmerica Championship, and it will again benefit the Roadracing World Action Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes motorcycle racing safety with the facilitation of soft barrier systems at racing events.

This year’s ride includes the following legends:

Three-time World Champion Kenny Roberts

Four-time World Champion Eddie Lawson

Three-time AMA Grand National Champion and 1988 AMA Superbike Champion Bubba Shobert

Three-time World Champion Freddie Spencer

2000 World Champion Kenny Roberts Jr.

Seven-time Supercross and Motocross National Champion Rick Johnson

Three-time AMA Superbike Champion Doug Chandler

In addition to the legends listed above, this year’s festivities include three special guests: world-renowned crew chiefs Bud Aksland, Kel Carruthers, and Erv Kanemoto.

Bud Aksland was an engine builder and a tuner, and he was the first to recognize the potential of a young racer named Kenny Roberts. Aksland would soon become Roberts’ first sponsor and would remain associated with Roberts throughout his post-racing career, helping with the development of race bikes, including Roberts’ Proton V5. Aksland was also the head engine developer for Rainey’s World Championships and served as John Kocinski’s crew chief when Kocinski won three consecutive AMA 250cc titles in 1987, 1988, and 1989.

A two-time Isle of Man TT winner and 1969 250cc World Champion, Kel Carruthers dominated AMA road racing in the early 1970s before moving to a team manager/crew chief role after retiring as a racer. After several successful seasons with Kenny Roberts in AMA road racing, the duo went to Europe in 1978, where Carruthers guided Roberts to three successive 500cc World Championships. Carruthers was also Eddie Lawson’s crew chief for three of his four 500cc World titles with Yamaha.

Wayne Rainey (right) wasn’t alone on his rides at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed. (From left) Kevin Schwantz, King Kenny Roberts, Jeremy McWilliams, and Mick Doohan followed Rainey on some of his runs. Photo courtesy Goodwood Festival of Speedway.

Erv Kanemoto was the man behind Freddie Spencer’s three World Championships, including the pairing’s historic 1985 season when Spencer rode Kanemoto-tuned Hondas to two World Championships in one season with titles in both the 500cc and 250cc classes. Kanemoto joined forces with Eddie Lawson in 1989 and earned the last of his four World Championships.

Wayne Rainey (1) as seen during a practice run ahead of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Photo courtesy Goodwood Festival of Speed. — Wayne Rainey (1) as seen during a practice run ahead of the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Photo courtesy Goodwood Festival of Speed.

“Each year, ‘Rainey’s Ride To The Races’ brings together some of the biggest legends in our sport, and it’s always a great experience for us and our fans,” Rainey said. “This year is even more special because we’ve added guests Bud Aksland, Kel Carruthers, and Erv Kanemoto to the list of legends. Also, I will be getting back on the track at Laguna Seca and riding a few laps at the place where I had some of my greatest races. I’ve got a lot of memories there, and I’m looking forward to making a few more.”

The 100-mile ride will begin at Baja Cantina in Carmel Valley, California, and will tour the best parts of the Monterey Peninsula, including in and around the Santa Lucia Mountains, the Salinas Valley foothills, local wineries, and the stunning Steinbeck country. The ride will conclude at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with two laps around the racetrack, lunch, and a Q&A session with the legends at the Turn 3 Paddock Suite.

The ride will be limited to 50 participants who purchase the special $700 Premium “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” Ticket, which includes the Q&A session and lunch with the legends in the climate-controlled Turn 3 Paddock Suite on Friday. While a three-day general admission ticket is included in the donation, for an additional $700, “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” ticket purchasers can upgrade to the MotoAmerica Superfan VIP Experience in the Turn 3 Paddock Suite for the entire weekend.

As always, the ride will be chaperoned by our friends at the Californian Highway Patrol.

For more information and to purchase tickets to “Rainey’s Ride To The Races,” click here: https://motoamerica.tixonlinenow.com/lagunavip/?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8eLpUBGEjBlL7OfZ58aXeMWmjRMxr0tidWHk-0ORaOSoxwNhY6ax9KokmjLTZorpVB_NgZFQ_7hn–8UtnPmiF2NLLcPxCJgiW32sRQC_cpf6C9lU&_hsmi=361137867&utm_content=361137867&utm_source=hs_email

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, Super Hooligan National Championship, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+

NEMRR: Wood Wins Overall In Dash For Cash At Loudon

John Ulrich

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May 12, 2025

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NEMRR: Wood Wins Overall In Dash For Cash At Loudon

From the outside looking in, Round two of the Northeast Motorcycle Road Racing series looked like it might be a carbon copy of Round one. The Saturday forecast was for rainy conditions with the possibility of some clearing later in the day, and Sunday’s races looked like they would be held under sunny conditions with a little extra wind to keep things interesting. As many of the top NEMRR riders continue to prepare for the upcoming Loudon Classic June 13-15, some additional talent arrived on Friday to add to the anticipation in the paddock.

First was New Hampshire native and current BPR Racing Yamaha MotoAmerica rider Teagg Hobbs, who will be participating in the Loudon Classic on a Yamaha R6 and the highly anticipated Street Fighter division on a Seacoast Sport Cycle Ducati Street Fighter V2. Second was Loudon Classic winner Shane Narbonne, seeking his 11th Loudon Classic title on a new Suzuki GSX-R750 and also looking to win the Street Fighter Class on a Triumph 765. Finally, current Moto America Twins Cup champion Alessandro Di Mario was racing to gain some track time before focusing on the Street Fighter class on a Warhorse Racing Ducati Street Fighter V2. The buzz at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was palpable!

Cool temperatures and torrential overnight rain led to some slow times in practice. The riders who went out were greeted with standing water in several areas of the track which were passable, but definite slowed things down. As practice wound down the rate of the rainfall had slowed significantly and NEMRR officials took to the track to blow off the standing water. The result was a track that was much more race-able, an effort that the riders surely appreciated. The GTO and GTL races were won by Yamaha R6 riders Sam Martin and Micheal Lee, both riders taking advantage of the nimble Yamaha chassis to carve up the rainy NHMS circuit. After several more races the rain stopped, and NEMRR director John Grush took advantage of a 15 minute afternoon break to clean up some standing water on the otherwise dry racetrack. Despite the best efforts of the NEMRR corner working crew the volume of overnight rain left two areas where water was coming up out of the ground and streaming across the racetrack. For the remainder of the day riders would have to take in account these wet areas while braking into Turn 1 and driving up the hill out of Turn 3.

In addition to winning the Dash For Cash on a Ducati, Eric Wood (5) rode this Yamaha YZF-R6 in several other races at Loudon. Photo by Sam Draiss/NEMRR.

Among the races run in the afternoon in these conditions was one of NEMRR’s largest classes, Ultralight Superbike. The NHMS circuit is very popular with the lightweight crowd and packed grid of riders on machines including the popular Kawasaki Ninja 400/500 battled with riders on Motard bikes, Suzuki SV650s and even a Kramer Apex 350 from the MotoAmerica Talent Cup. At the checkered flag it was Renee Franco, one of the top female riders in the nation, taking the victory on her Kawasaki Ninja 400 over the KTM 450 mounted Nathan Baeyens. Kawasaki Ninja 500 mounted Adam Muscaro emerged as the final podium finisher over 14 year old young gun Nathan Bettencourt, who finished just ahead of the Supermotard machine of Teagg Hobbs who started on the back row and fought his way forward after a challenging start through the wet section in turn one.

Eli Block (9) finished on the podium in the Dash For Cash, on his KTM 890 Street Fighter. Photo by Sam Draiss/NEMRR.

The featured Seacoast Sport Cycle Dash for Cash featured all the star power from Round 1 of the NEMRR series, plus three star riders coming from the back of the grid. Teagg Hobbs on his Ducati V2 Street Fighter and Shane Narbonne on his Suzuki GSXR750 were both absent in round one, and Eli Block, after finishing 2nd in the shortened round one event, missed the pre entry deadline and as a result started towards the back of the grid as well. With bright sunshine and 95% of the track perfectly dry, the grid lined up and the crowd held their breath as the pack roared into turn one and crossed over the stream of water coming up from the ground in turn one. Off the line it was the Yamaha R6 of Paul Duval with the jump, but the Ducati V2 of Eric Wood slid though on the inside to secure the holeshot as they tucked in past the wall and headed to the apex of turn one. Wood steadily pulled away over the first half of the race while Duval held steady in second. The 2025 format for the dash for cash separates riders into MW and HW divisions, with Wood entered in the HW and Duval in the MW categories. Behind Duval there was a ton of action as Narbonne and Block were storming through the pack. By the halfway point Narbonne secured the 2nd spot and set off after Wood, but there was simply not enough time to make any meaningful inroads into the lead the veteran Ducati rider had established. The Dunlop-mounted Wood earned $700 for his HWGP and overall combined victory checks put up by Seacoast Sport Cycle, who is the Dunlop vendor at NHMS and a major contributor to the series. Block made an impressive push to the front to secure the final podium spot on his Street Fighter KTM 890 and looks set to be a force to be reckoned with at the Loudon Classic in that division. Duval held on to 4th place overall and first in the MW Grand Prix division, securing himself a pair of checks totaling $400.

Paul Duval (728) won in the MW category of the Dash For Cash. Photo by Sam Draiss/NEMRR.

Block won a number of races on his KTM 790 and 890 Duke machines. The CT rider set some blistering times in the rain on round one on his 790, and this motivated him to seek out the more powerful 890 that he will be campaigning in the Street Fighter class at the Loudon Classic. As the results would show later in the weekend, these Street Fighter machines are proving to be quite capable around NHMS, running at the front of many classes at NEMRR normally dominated by traditional sport bike machines. Wood was back and forth between his Ducati Panigale V2 and new Yamaha R6 throughout the weekend, and won a total of 4 classes prior retiring from the lead in his 5th and final race of the weekend when his R6 had a mechanical issue.

Next up on the NEMRR calendar is the Loudon Classic weekend. NEMRR regulars will be racing Friday and Sunday, and Saturday will feature a slate of four professional races with a record setting total $400,000 purse. Friday will serve as a very interesting prelude to the pro day as the professional riders grid up against the locals in the NEMRR events as they come up to speed for their feature races on Saturday. The entry list is filled with super stars from Moto America and beyond, including a bevy of Superbike race winners and both past and current national champions. The Loudon Classic is the crown jewel of the Laconia Motorcycle Rally, and tickets are available at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nemrr-102nd-loudon-classic-tickets-1036972682207.

MotoGP: Stats From The Michelin Grand Prix Of France

Michael Gougis

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May 12, 2025

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MotoGP: Stats From The Michelin Grand Prix Of France

Johann Zarco, Win, Rider of the Race

Zarco took his second MotoGP win – and on his 150th MotoGP start – along with Australia
in 2023, when he was racing with Ducati. He becomes only the fifth rider on the grid to win with two (or more) different MotoGP machines, joining Maverick Viñales (Suzuki, Yamaha, Aprilia), Alex Rins (Suzuki, Honda), Jack Miller (Honda, Ducati) and Marc Marquez (Honda, Ducati).

Zarco took the first MotoGP win for a French rider at the French GP since Pierre Monneret won in Reims in 1954. This France’s 100th GP win, and their 16th in MotoGP.

Honda, Win

Honda took their first win since Alex Rins at the 2023 Americas GP. This is the first non Ducati win since Viñales (Aprilia) in Austin last year, ending a sequence of 22 MotoGP race wins by Ducati. That means Honda and Ducati remain tied on a longest winning streak of 22 Grands Prix wins in a row.

Marc Marquez (93). Photo courtesy Ducati.

Marc Marquez, P2

Marquez finished P2 for his 115th MotoGP podium. He is now alone in second on the list of riders with the most MotoGP podiums behind MotoGP Legend Valentino Rossi, who has 199. He is leading the World Championship with 171 points, 22 ahead of his brother Alex who crashed twice and retired.

Fermin Aldeguer (54). Photo courtesy MotoGP.com.

Fermin Aldeguer, P3

Aldeguer finished P3 for his maiden podium in MotoGP. Aged 20 years 36 days old, he becomes the fifth youngest MotoGP podium finisher after Norick Abe (20 years and 10 days old – Brazil 1995).

311,797 Attendance

For the first time in history, MotoGP has welcomed more than 300,000 fans across a Grand Prix weekend as Le Mans set a new all-time attendance record.

MotoGP : World Championship Race Results From Le Mans

Mathilde Gasnier

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May 11, 2025

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MotoGP : World Championship Race Results From Le Mans

French sensation, Johann Zarco won the FIM MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at Le Mans Bugatti Circuit, in France. Riding his CASTROL Honda LCR RC213V on Michelin control tires, the home hero won the 26-lap race by over 19.907 seconds.

Marc Marquez was the runner-up on his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici GP25.

Rookie, Fermin Aldeguer placed third on his BK8 Gresini Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP24.

Pedro Acosta got fourth on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC16.

Maverick Viñales crossed the finish line fifth on his Red Bull KTM Tech3 RC16.

Two-time World Champion, Francesco Bagnaia crashed his Lenovo Team Ducati out of the race on the first lap.

Poleman, Fabio Quartararo crashed his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1.

For the championship, A.Marquez is 22 points behind his principal rival M.Marquez who has 171 points. Bagnaia is third with 120 points.

Classification motogp race
worldstanding motogp

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

CHAPEAU: Zarco emerges victorious in history-making French GP. For the first time since 1954, a French MotoGP rider wins on home turf in an unbelievably dramatic Grand Prix at Le Mans.

Flippin’ phenomenal. A day Johann Zarco, LCR Honda Castrol and a record-breaking Michelin Grand Prix of France crowd will never forget. For the first time since 1954, 71 years ago, a French MotoGP rider wins on home turf after a wet tyre gamble from Zarco sees the #5 beat second place Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) by nearly 20 seconds. The #93 gains important points in the title chase as both Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) fail to score points on a hugely dramatic Sunday afternoon, which saw Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) claim a debut MotoGP rostrum.

A RED-FLAGGED START AS RAIN FALLS

Tensions were at an all-time high in the lead up to lights out as light rain scattered the Le Mans circuit in the build up. Heading onto the warm up lap, with everyone on Michelin’s slick tyres, it was then abundantly clear that was the wrong tyre to be on. Polesitter Quartararo was nearly down at Turn 3 and at the end of the warm up lap, unsurprisingly, every rider peeled into pit lane and that brought out the red flags due to an excessive number of riders at pit lane exit as we then set ourselves for a quick restart procedure at the French GP. The Grand Prix was also reduced by one lap to 26, with a wet race declared – that meant riders could come in and change their bikes at any moment once we got underway.

And there was more drama at the end of the sighting lap. More than half the grid, including Quartararo, Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez, were in while Francesco Bagnaia stayed on the grid.

LIGHTS OUT AND IMMEDIATE DRAMA

Eventually we were lights out and underway and as he was in the Sprint, Bagnaia was down at Turn 3 on Lap 1! Meanwhile, Quartararo led from Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez, Aldeguer was fourth as Bagnaia made it back to pit lane to jump onto his dry weather bike. The Italian was miles behind but having pitted at the end of the sighting lap, over half the grid had double Long Lap penalties to take.

Quartararo, having led by over a second, was the first of the front runners to dive into the Long Lap loop. Alex Marquez, Aldeguer – who had passed Marc Marquez – and Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) were the next to come in, but Marc Marquez didn’t. This happened after Bagnaia had been lapped – a disaster for Pecco, who then came in for dry tyres. A decision that would prove costly again soon after.

HOME HEARTBREAK TO ELATION: QUARTARARO CRASHES, ZARCO LEADS

Then, heartbreak. Quartararo was down at the final corner and so was Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) right behind the Frenchman. Gutting for the 100,000+ crowd, but back on circuit, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Viñales were back in the pit lane to switch back onto wet tyres.

Where to look? Marc and Alex were next to come in and that left Aldeguer leading the Grand Prix by over 12 seconds, but now, the rookie was clearly on the wrong tyre – and sure enough, the #54 came in on the next lap.

Right, where were we? Well, to the delight of the French faithful, Zarco led the French Grand Prix! The #5 had stuck it out on the wet weather tyres and he was leading by seven seconds over Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), the Portuguese rider had done the same as Zarco, with Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez pressing Oliveira on Lap 9 of 26.

HOW THE FRENCH GP WAS WON

The brothers passed a struggling Oliveira with ease and with 17 laps to go, the gap between leader Zarco and the Marquez duo was 8.5s. That grew to nine seconds with 15 laps to go, then it was 9.3s as Zarco churned out low 1:46s, with Marquez near enough matching the home hero. Alex Marquez was losing touch on the #93, but the #73 had a six second buffer to fourth place Acosta.

With 11 laps to go, Zarco was marching towards an astonishing home Grand Prix victory. The gap had risen to 11.5s, then it was 12.4s as Zarco lapped at least a second quicker than anyone else on track. That trend continued as the advantage rose to over 14 seconds with seven laps as we witnessed two crashes – first Oliveria was down at the final corner, then Alex Marquez crashed at Turn 3. Luckily the former Championship leader remounted, and such were the gaps between a lot of riders, the Spanish GP winner re-joined the Grand Prix in P6. That off promoted Acosta to P3.

Having got back into the race, Alex Marquez was in the gravel again and unfortunately that was his French GP done. But Gresini’s podium hopes weren’t over because Aldeguer was catching Acosta at a rapid rate of knots. With two laps left, the rookie was right on the back of Acosta and at the front, Zarco’s lead was 19 seconds. The Frenchman simply had to nurse his Honda to the chequered flag.

Aldeguer did get Acosta but it was all eyes on the #5. One lap left Johann! And he brought it home. The roof was raised at Le Mans because for the first time since 1954, a French MotoGP rider clinched victory on home turf. Unbelievable. What a moment for Zarco, LCR Honda and the record-breaking French GP crowd.

Marc Marquez crossed the line 19.9s away from Zarco to collect a massive 20 points, with Aldeguer backing up his Saturday bronze medal with a debut MotoGP podium. What a weekend for the rookie.

YOUR FRENCH GP POINTS SCORERS

Acosta had to settle for P4 after he couldn’t live with Aldeguer’s late race pace, as Viñales handed KTM a double top five in France. Honda HRC Test Team’s Takaaki Nakagami took a magnificent P6 in his first wildcard ride for the Japanese factory, as Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) picked up his season best Sunday result in P7.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) rounded out the top 10, with Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol), Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) closed out the points, with Bagnaia acting as the final finisher in P16.

Just… wow. Johann Zarco is a winner at home in MotoGP. A Sunday that will go down in history for more reasons than one. Le Mans, you were simply incredible. Again.

Silverstone, you’re up.

FULL RESULTS!

RACE Moto: Guerin vs. Dumas At Shannonville, Plus Kids On Minis

May 14, 2025

Setting the outright pace at Shannonville’s Canadian season opener were the BMWs of No. 2 Samuel Guerin and No. 23 Alex Dumas – both won races. Photo by Colin Fraser.