Martin Wins French GP for Aprilia 1-2-3 Finish

Jorge Martin delivered a commanding victory for Aprilia at the MotoGP French Grand Prix on Sunday, leading a historic first 1-2-3 finish for the manufacturer at the Le Mans circuit. The 2024 world champion charged from eighth on the grid to overtake teammate Marco Bezzecchi with three laps remaining, securing his first grand prix win since the 2024 Indonesian Grand Prix and his first with Aprilia.

Polesitter Francesco Bagnaia stuttered off the line, allowing Bezzecchi to seize the lead into Turn 1 ahead of Pedro Acosta and home favorite Fabio Quartararo. Bagnaia recovered to fifth before passing Acosta at the Dunlop chicane on lap seven, closing to within half a second of Bezzecchi by lap 16. His challenge ended there when he crashed at Turn 2 while running second.

Martin, who had sliced through the field after a sluggish start, inherited third following Bagnaia's exit. He dispatched Acosta with a late-braking move at the chicane on lap 18, then reeled in Bezzecchi as tire wear intensified. The gap, which stood at 1.5 seconds upon taking second, dwindled rapidly, enabling Martin's decisive pass at the chicane on lap 25 of 27. He crossed the line 0.477 seconds ahead, with...