MotoGP: Zarco revels in MICHELIN Grand Prix de France glory
Johann Zarco (LCR Honda) claimed a popular win on home turf at the MICHELIN Grand Prix de France, Round 6 of the 2025 MotoGPTM World Championship, which attracted a total attendance of 312,000 despite changeable weather. The grand prix itself was marked by rain and Zarco rose to the challenge to finish comfortably clear of Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Fermín Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini MotoGP Team). Michelin's range provided another illustration of its versatility by covering both the wet and dry conditions. Read on for more about what happened at the #FrenchGP.
Zarco celebrated his 150th MotoGPTM start with his second victory in the sport's premier class after making a judicious tire choice for his home race.
All the riders lined up for the afternoon's initial start on MICHELIN Power Slicks but rain during the formation lap brought out the red flags as everyone headed for the pits to switch to their spare bikes fitted with MICHELIN Power Rains. However, some then chose to pit a second time to revert to slicks despite the threat of more rain and knowing that they would be handed a penalty of two long laps.
By the time the second start was given, the track was effectively dry once more, while the distance was reduced to 26 laps.
Eleventh on the grid, Zarco was on rain tires for lights-out but had no reason to regret his choice when rain reappeared six laps in. As his rivals observed their long-lap penalties, the Frenchman took advantage of the grip delivered by his wet-weather rubber to appear in front on Lap 8. Clearly at ease in the delicate conditions, he soon pulled away from his chasers to finish 20 seconds clear of second-placed Márquez who, the previous day, had kept up his 100-percent sprint-race-winning record this season.
Aldeguer was third past the flag to claim his first MotoGPTM podium.
Michelin's tires provided the field with the grip, confidence and performance they needed over the three days and Marquez hit the ground running to establish a new track record as early as Friday afternoon's free practice session. That benchmark was then bettered by four riders in Q2, with pole-winner Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) finally being accredited with the weekend's best effort (1m29.324s) in front of delirious home fans.
The MICHELIN Grand Prix de France also hosted the first two rounds of this year's MotoETM World Championship for which Michelin has introduced a new range of tires featuring 'fleeting' Race to Vision branding. They also epitomize Michelin's role as an innovator in favor of sustainable racing by containing 58 and 56 percent renewable or recycled raw materials front and rear.
The two Le Mans races were won respectively by Oscar Gutiérrez (MSI Racing Team) and Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team).
Next round: Tissot Grand Prix of the United Kingdom, Silverstone (May 23-25).