Motorcycle: Frenchman Johann Zarco wins the French Grand Prix

It's a first since 1954. French rider Johann Zarco (Honda-LCR) won the French MotoGP Grand Prix on Sunday, May 11, at the legendary Le Mans circuit , taking first place in the rain and in front of a largely supportive crowd. He finished ahead of the two Spaniards Marc Marquez (Ducati) and Fermin Aldeguer. The previous victory by a Frenchman in the French MotoGP Grand Prix in the premier class dates back to Pierre Monneret, in Reims, 71 years ago.

The 34-year-old grid veteran started in 11th position and was able to overtake his rivals thanks to a winning strategy. The race, contested under threatening and then rainy skies, saw several pit stops for the riders to change bikes, but Zarco decided to fit rain tires at the start of the race and keep them on when the track partially dried.

The rain returned after a few laps, allowing him to take the lead. The Frenchman then mastered his bike perfectly in very slippery conditions and ultimately won by nearly twenty seconds over Marc Marquez, the six-time world champion.

In tears before even getting off his bike, the Avignon rider allowed himself the luxury of letting his joy burst forth before even crossing the finish line and then going to celebrate his victory with the members of his team along the pit wall.

The fiery Le Mans crowd spontaneously sang a moving Marseillaise as one, as Zarco went to the stands to perform a backflip, his favorite celebration since his two Moto2 world titles in 2015 and 2016.

The other Frenchman on the grid, Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), who started from pole position, got off to a very good start but crashed on the wet track on the fifth lap while in second position.