Dominant Marquez takes Honda’s 300th premier class win in France

Marc Marquez took his third win of the 2019 season with another dominating performance as teammate Jorge Lorenzo took his best finish of the season with 11th.

Cold conditions from morning Warm Up carried through until the start of the French Grand Prix at 14:00 local time, a track temperature of just 18°C made for treacherous opening laps.

Marc Marquez was able to keep clear of trouble to open a small advantage, Jack Miller the only rider able to stay with him. Miller was briefly able to get past, but the Repsol Honda Team rider responded to the challenge on lap six and retook the lead. Steadily building his lead lap-by-lap, Marquez crossed the line 1.9 seconds clear of Dovizioso, claiming Honda’s 300th win in the premier class.

The win is also Marquez’s 47th in the premier class, drawing equal with Jorge Lorenzo in third on the all time premier class wins list. Marquez now extends his lead in the MotoGP World Championship to eight points, Honda maintaining a healthy advantage in the Constructor Championship.

With his best start of the year, Jorge Lorenzo was able to immediately insert himself into the group battling for the top ten. Able to attack multiple times, Lorenzo found himself as high as seventh. Ultimately crossing the line in 11th, Lorenzo takes his best finish of the season as he continues his adaption to the Honda.

The MotoGP World Championship now prepares to head to the iconic Mugello circuit for the Italian Grand Prix, May 31 – June 02.

Marc Marquez – 1ST 

“Of course here in Le Mans it’s always difficult with the temperature and the weather, especially today. I think this is the first time I have had a race where I had the soft tyre in the front but it was the safest option. I was focused on being consistent until I saw the gap increasing, I pushed a little bit more and into the low 32s until I saw I had two seconds. I’m happy with today’s result and it is fantastic to be able to take Honda’s 300th premier class win!”

Jorge Lorenzo -11TH 

“11th place is not where we want to be but I saw progress. This makes me happy and gives me even more enthusiasm for the next races. It was the first weekend I finished a day in the top five, qualified in the top eight and you know, apart from Qatar where it was a slow race, this is the race where I finished closest to the winner. We’re learning more each weekend and race, it is just a matter of time. Thanks to the Repsol Honda Team for continuing to work hard and congratulations to Honda for 300 wins.”

Rider Standings

Pos.RiderNumNationPointsTeam
1MARQUEZ Marc93SPA95Repsol Honda Team
2DOVIZIOSO Andrea4ITA87Mission Winnow Ducati
3RINS Alex42SPA75Team Suzuki Ecstar
4ROSSI Valentino46ITA72Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
5PETRUCCI Danilo9ITA57Mission Winnow Ducati
6MILLER Jack43AUS42Pramac Racing
7MORBIDELLI Franco21ITA34Petronas Yamaha SRT
8CRUTCHLOW Cal35GBR34LCR Honda
9ESPARGARO Pol44SPA31Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
10VINALES Maverick12SPA30Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
11NAKAGAMI Takaaki30JPN29LCR Honda
12QUARTARARO Fabio20FRA25Petronas Yamaha SRT
13ESPARGARO Aleix41SPA22Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
14LORENZO Jorge99SPA16Repsol Honda Team
15ZARCO Johann5FRA10Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
16BAGNAIA Francesco63ITA9Pramac Racing
17OLIVEIRA Miguel88POR8Red Bull KTM Tech 3
18MIR Joan36SPA8Team Suzuki Ecstar
19BRADL Stefan6GER6HRC Test Team
20IANNONE Andrea29ITA6Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
21SYAHRIN Hafizh55MAL2Red Bull KTM Tech 3
22RABAT Tito53SPA2Reale Avintia Racing

Words and Photos: Honda Racing Corporation