The grandstands of the Le Mans circuit erupted in thunderous applause on Sunday, May 11, 2025, as Johann Zarco crossed the finish line to claim a sensational victory at the French MotoGP. In a dramatic and rain-affected race, the French hero delivered a masterful performance, becoming the first home rider to win the French Grand Prix since Pierre Monneret in 1954 – a wait of 71 long years.
The race began under threatening skies, with light rain prompting a flurry of pit lane activity even before the lights went out. Initially, all riders opted to start on wet tyres after the warm-up lap. However, as the rain eased on the sighting lap, a significant number of riders, including pole-sitter Fabio Quartararo and the Marquez brothers, Marc and Alex, made a late switch to dry tyres, risking a double long-lap penalty.
Zarco, starting from 11th on the grid, bravely stuck with his initial choice of wet tyres. The start itself was chaotic. Avoiding a collision in the first chicane, Zarco was forced wide into the gravel and dropped down to 17th position on the opening lap. Meanwhile, Francesco Bagnaia and Joan Mir crashed out at Turn 3, adding to the early drama.
Zarco’s Resilient Climb
Undeterred by the setback, Zarco began a determined fightback. As the rain intensified, the gamble of those on slick tyres backfired, forcing them back into the pits for a second bike swap. This played perfectly into the hands of Zarco, who steadily climbed through the field.
By lap eight, Zarco had taken the lead after Jack Miller, who had also started on wet tyres, crashed out. The French crowd roared its approval as their home hero found himself at the front.
Behind Zarco, championship leader Marc Marquez, who had started on slicks and then switched to wets, began to close the gap. For a few laps, it seemed the Spaniard might challenge Zarco for the win. However, Zarco maintained his composure, lapping consistently and extending his advantage.
A Dominant Victory Secured
As the race wore on, Zarco’s lead grew. His superior grip on the wet tyres allowed him to pull away, eventually crossing the finish line a massive 19.907 seconds ahead of Marc Marquez. Rookie sensation Fermin Aldeguer secured his first MotoGP podium in third place.
The atmosphere in the grandstands was electric as Zarco celebrated his historic victory. Overwhelmed with emotion, he performed his signature backflip off the pit wall, much to the delight of the record-breaking crowd of over 311,000 fans – the highest ever attendance at a MotoGP event.
Zarco’s win was not only a personal triumph but also a momentous occasion for French motorsport. It ended a decades-long wait for a home victory in the premier class and sparked jubilant celebrations across the nation. This victory also marked Honda’s first win since Alex Rins’ triumph at COTA in 2023 and halted Ducati’s impressive streak of 22 consecutive Grand Prix wins.
Despite finishing second, Marc Marquez extended his lead in the MotoGP championship standings to 22 points over his brother Alex, who crashed out of the race in the closing stages.
Zarco’s Emotional Reflection
Speaking after the race, an emotional Zarco dedicated his victory to the passionate French fans and his family, particularly his mother, who was attending a Grand Prix for the first time in his 17-year racing career. “It’s incredible, I can hardly believe it,” said Zarco. “I always give my best, but I never thought I’d win. The way I won was very special. I had to be in control and almost wait for victory to come.”
Johann Zarco’s victory at the 2025 French MotoGP will be remembered as a historic and emotional day, etching his name into the annals of MotoGP history and sending the French fans into raptures.
