The 2026 MotoGP season continues its European run this week as the paddock heads to Le Mans for the French Grand Prix, one of the most unpredictable stops on the calendar.
Here are five key facts to know ahead of the action, live on SPOTV NOW.
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Seven different winners in seven years
If there is one circuit that consistently delivers unpredictability, it is the Bugatti Circuit.
Each of the last seven editions has produced a different premier-class winner: Johann Zarco, Jorge Martín, Marco Bezzecchi, Enea Bastianini, Jack Miller, Danilo Petrucci and Marc Márquez. The trend is not limited to MotoGP either, with Moto2 and Moto3 also seeing no repeat winners during the same period.
Only the British Grand Prix rivals this level of variety, having produced 11 different MotoGP winners across the last 13 seasons.
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Michelin Man takes centre stage
While most Grands Prix feature a celebrity or sporting figure to wave the MotoGP chequered flag, Le Mans offers something more distinctive.
With Michelin as the Grand Prix’s title sponsor, the honour has gone to the brand’s iconic Michelin Man in recent years, adding a uniquely local touch to the race weekend. Expect to see the familiar white figure to reprise the role once again this year.
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Ducati still searching for answers
Álex Márquez may have ended Ducati’s overall podium drought with his win at Jerez, but the factory team’s struggles continue.
Ducati Lenovo Team have now gone nine races without a Sunday podium dating back to last season, which is their longest barren run since a 24-race drought between Aragón 2012 and Qatar 2014.
Given their engine’s record of winning five of the last six MotoGP races at the circuit, they will be hoping they could snap that run this week.
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The slowest speed trap on the calendar
Despite its rich history, Le Mans is one of the slowest circuits on the calendar in terms of outright speed. The all-time top speed at the Bugatti Circuit stands at 300.8 km/h set by Johann Zarco five years ago, which is the lowest among all 22 tracks on the 2026 calendar. For comparison, the next lowest is 305.9 km/h at Misano.
Rookies Cup continues at Le Mans
The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup heads to Le Mans for the second round of its 2026 season, continuing its role as a key pathway for emerging talent.
Following an eye-catching opening round at Jerez, Beñat Fernández and Kiandra Ramadhipa arrive as early standouts, both looking to build momentum as they continue their development.
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