The former MotoGP world champion is currently just one point behind Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi in the rider rankings.
Published May 10, 2026
Jorge Martin charged from seventh on the grid at Sunday’s French Grand Prix to claim his first MotoGP win in 588 days, closing the distance on Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi in the race for the championship.
After enduring a memorable 2025 season plagued by crashes and injuries, the Spaniard overtook race leader Bezzecchi with three laps remaining to claim his first victory since winning the title in 2024.
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“It’s unbelievable. I can’t say it enough. I’m so grateful to all the fans,” an emotional Martin said.
“But I have to remember the people who have been with me all this time: my family, my team, my girlfriend, my dog. I have no words!”
The win moved Martin to within one point of championship leader Bezzecchi after five rounds.
Kokura makes Japanese history
Ai Ogura took third place on the podium with Aprilia’s satellite team, Trackhouse, giving the Italian manufacturer its first podium monopoly and becoming the first Japanese rider to stand on the podium in 14 years.
“What can I say, I feel really great… It wasn’t an easy race, but I had a good race pace and I’m very happy,” Ogura said.
Ducati had another unforgettable Sunday. Reigning champion Marc Marquez broke his leg in a sprint crash on Saturday and missed the race, while teammate and pole sitter Francesco Bagnaia crashed while running second.
Bagnaia had a poor start, allowing Bezzecchi to take the lead and home favorite Fabio Quartararo to move into second place.
Unlike his great start on Saturday, when he sprinted from eighth to first after two turns, Martin was initially unable to regain the position in heavy traffic.
But the dynamics changed dramatically when Bagnaia, who had been working hard to challenge for the lead, crashed at Turn 3 on lap 16 under pressure, making it his third Sunday retirement in five races this season.
Martin corners Bezzecchi.
Martín seized the opportunity and overtook KTM’s Pedro Acosta for second place, then methodically chased down Bezzecchi.
At one point he had a lead of nearly three seconds, but as the sun peeked out from behind the clouds at Le Mans, Martin gradually closed the gap.
Acosta’s hopes for a third place podium finish ended with four laps left when late-race specialist Ogura slipped past the KTM rider and set up Aprilia’s historic run.
Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola could barely watch on as the two factory riders battled for the lead.
Although the two men were separated by points after five rounds, he wasn’t worried about any tension between them in the garage. “They’re smart guys, they’re fighters. As long as we respect each other, I’ll be fine.”
Upon receiving the checkered flag, Martin celebrated his landmark victory with his trademark windshield banging, before crossing his arms over his chest to imitate France forward Kylian Mbappé’s goal celebration.
“I still remember last year here at Le Mans, when Jorge wanted to leave[from Aprilia]I said, ‘I think you can win with us.’ So the win at Le Mans is very special for me,” Rivola added.
In a final twist, Acosta was denied a fourth-place finish for death as VR46 Racing’s Fabio Di Giannantonio made a late lunge to take the position in the final two corners.
