The anticipation is building as we approach the fifth round of the 2024 MotoGP season, set to ignite the Le Mans Bugatti Grand Prix racing track in France this weekend. This thrilling event is a key highlight of the 21-race calendar, promising high-speed action and intense competition. 
The MotoGP French Grand Prix, a pivotal event in the championship, is set to take place at the Bugatti track in Le Mans. Last year, Marco Bezzecchi emerged as the victor, marking the 1000th weekend of the world championship with his win.
Last year, the Italian achieved his second Grand Prix triumph after his first success in the Argentine Grand Prix, temporarily propelling him to the championship standings.
The previous year's MotoGP French Grand Prix was a record-breaking event, with 278,805 spectators flocking to Le Mans over the weekend. This high attendance is a testament to the event's popularity and significance in the MotoGP calendar.
The MotoGP French Grand Prix has seen intense competition over the years. Jorge Lorenzo, a dominant force in the sport, holds the record for the most wins in this event, with six victories between 2009 and 2016.
When is the 2024 French Grand Prix?
The MotoGP French Grand Prix is scheduled for 10-12 May 2024. The race on Sunday will commence at 1 pm BST, equivalent to 2 pm local time.
Moto GP In France: A Historic Venue
Certain events on the MotoGP calendar are notably iconic due to the historical significance of the tracks where they take place and the high level of competition they foster. The Grand Prix of France is unquestionably at the forefront in this regard.
The Bugatti GP Circuit near Le Mans is not just a track, it's a testament to the rich history of World Championship GP Motorcycle Racing. As an integral section of the extensive Circuit de la Sarthe, it has witnessed countless iconic moments and fierce battles. Its 4,200 meters of French asphalt have been graced by the best in the sport, making it a revered venue for MotoGP enthusiasts.
Francesco Bagnaia & Jorge Martin Battle at the Top of the Standings
Despite Francesco Bagnaia's best efforts, Jorge Martin still leads the championship by 17 points going into this weekend's French GP. However, there is still plenty of opportunity for riders to gain distance in the title race since there are 17 rounds left in the season.
Martin has been impressive on his path to a 92-point performance in early 2024. His consistent top-two finishes in weighted predator and prey throughout the season reflect the aggressive riding style that the Spaniard employs. When comparing 2024 to previous seasons, Martin also performs better in terms of consistency and quickness. On the other hand, his 50% average accident rate at Le Mans and 25% in-season crash rate are causes for concern.
On his Ducati Lenovo Team bike, defending champion Bagnaia is closing the gap quickly on Martin. Although Bagnaia has had success thus far, his rankings in consistency are concerning, as he sits at number sixteen, and in degradation, he is ranked eleventh. This shows that, in comparison to his competitors, Bagnaia has had trouble getting into a rhythm and managing his tires during the race. But he can make clean overtakes stick, as seen by his high-efficiency position. Bagnaia might seize control of the title if he can find a way to be more consistent over the remainder of the season.
MotoGP Grand Prix of France Betting Odds
The MotoGP championship odds at top-rated bookies for Irish punters present interesting future prices as they cannot split Martin and Bagnaia from the leading position.
As previously mentioned, Martin and Bagnaia are currently battling in the championship standings, which is reflected in the sportsbook betting odds.
Moto GP World Championship Winner Odds 2024
Francesco Bagnaia [7/4]
Jorge Martin [7/4]
Marc Marquez [5/2]
Pedro Acosta [8/1]
A Brief History of the Bugatti Circuit
The first race took place in 1951 and has been contested in Le Mans without interruption since 2000, despite hosting several events starting from 1969.
Giacomo Agostini became victorious in the 500cc category during the first-ever race on the track by surpassing all other riders in terms of laps completed. The Italian racer won in three further races held in France in 1970, 1972, and 1975. Furthermore, he won a total of eight championships in both the 500cc and 350cc classes.
Honda has the record for the most wins among manufacturers in the premier class at Le Mans, with a total of 20 triumphs. Their most recent win was in 2019.
A Closer Look at The Bugatti Circuit The MotoGP
French Grand Prix takes place at the Bugatti Circuit, situated inside the Circuit de la Sarthe, renowned for hosting the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans automobile race. The Bugatti Circuit spans 2.6 miles (4.185km) and is named in honor of Ettore Bugatti, the renowned Italian-French automotive designer and manufacturer. The track was inaugurated in 1965, 18 years after Bugatti's passing in Paris.
Certain sections of the Bugatti circuit coincide with the primary 24-hour track, including the pit straight, La Chapelle, Raccordement, and the Dunlop Chicane. After La Chappelle, the track diverges, with the right path leading to the Bugatti circuit and the left path leading to the 24-hour vehicle layout.
The Bugatti track is also the venue for the 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycle race, in which Gregg Black, Etienne Masson, and Dan Linfoot triumphed for Yoshimura Sert Motul in April.
French GP 2024 Qualifying and Race Schedule
â— Saturday 11th of May – Qualifier 1 – [9:50 am – 10:05 am]
â— Saturday 11th of May – Qualifier 2 – [10:15 am – 10:30 am]
â— Saturday 11th May – 13-lap Sprint Race – [2 pm]
â— Sunday 12th May – Warm Up – [8:40 am – 8:50 am]
â— Sunday 12th May – French GP Race – [1 pm]
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