French motorcycle Grand Prix

The French motorcycle Grand Prix is a motorcycling event that is part of the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing season.

French Grand Prix
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
VenueLe Mans (1969–1970, 1976, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989–1990, 1994–1995, 2000–present)
Paul Ricard (1973, 1975, 1977, 1980–1981, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1996–1999)
Magny-Cours (1992)
Nogaro (1978, 1982)
Clermont-Ferrand (1959–1964, 1966–1967, 1972, 1974)
Rouen-Les-Essarts (1953, 1965)
Reims-Gueux (1954–1955)
Albi (1951)
First race1951
Most wins (rider)Giacomo Agostini (7)
Most wins (manufacturer)Honda (52)

The Grand Prix was held on different circuits in its history: on the Charade Circuit (Puy-de-Dôme) between 1959 and 1967, Le Mans circuit on numerous occasions since 1969, alternating with the Paul Ricard Circuit at Le Castellet, used it for the first time in 1973, the Circuit Paul Armagnac in Nogaro in 1978 and 1982 and the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours once in 1992. Since 2000 the race has been held at Le Mans on the Bugatti Circuit.

The event is due to take place at the Bugatti Circuit until at least 2026.[1]

Official names and sponsors

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  • 1959–1960: Grand Prix de France de Vitesse (no official sponsor)
  • 1962–1964, 1966–1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 1983, 1985–1992, 1995–1996, 2009: Grand Prix de France (no official sponsor)[2]
  • 1970: Grand Prix de France Motocyclistes (no official sponsor)[3]
  • 1975–1977, 1980–1982, 1984, 1994, 1997–1999: Grand Prix de France Moto (no official sponsor)[4]
  • 2000–2001, 2003–2004: Grand Prix Polini de France (listed without a sponsor on the cover until 2001)[5][6]
  • 2002: Polini Grand Prix de France (listed without a sponsor on the cover)
  • 2005: Grand Prix Alice de France[7]
  • 2006–2008: Alice Grand Prix de France[8]
  • 2010–2016: Monster Energy Grand Prix de France[9]
  • 2017–2018: HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France[10]
  • 2019–2020: Shark Helmets Grand Prix de France[11]
  • 2021–2023: Shark Grand Prix de France[12]
  • 2024: Michelin Grand Prix de France

Formerly used circuits and layouts

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Winners of the French motorcycle Grand Prix

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Multiple winners (riders)

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# Wins Rider Wins
Category Years won
7   Giacomo Agostini 500cc 1969, 1970, 1972, 1975
350cc 1972, 1973, 1974
6   Jorge Lorenzo MotoGP 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016
250cc 2007
5   Ángel Nieto 125cc 1980, 1981, 1984
80cc 1985
50cc 1970
4   Phil Read 500cc 1974
250cc 1964, 1965, 1972
  Freddie Spencer 500cc 1983, 1984, 1985
250cc 1985
  Mick Doohan 500cc 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  Valentino Rossi MotoGP 2002, 2005, 2008
125cc 1997
  Dani Pedrosa MotoGP 2013
250cc 2004, 2005
125cc 2003
  Thomas Lüthi Moto2 2012, 2015
125cc 2005, 2006
  Marc Márquez MotoGP 2014, 2018, 2019
Moto2 2011
3   Geoff Duke 500cc 1953, 1955
350cc 1951
  John Surtees 500cc 1959, 1960
350cc 1959
  Hugh Anderson 125cc 1963, 1965
50cc 1964
  Kent Andersson 125cc 1973, 1974, 1975
  Barry Sheene 500cc 1976, 1977, 1979
  Eddie Lawson 500cc 1986, 1988, 1989
  Àlex Crivillé 500cc 1998, 1999, 2000
  Maverick Viñales MotoGP 2017
Moto3 2013
125cc 2011
2   Pierre Monneret 500cc 1954
350cc 1954
  Gary Hocking 500cc 1961
350cc 1960
  Tom Phillis 250cc 1961
125cc 1961
  Mike Hailwood 350cc 1966
250cc 1966
  Bill Ivy 250cc 1967
125cc 1967
  Jarno Saarinen 500cc 1973
250cc 1973
  Johnny Cecotto 350cc 1975
250cc 1975
  Walter Villa 350cc 1976
250cc 1976
  Gregg Hansford 350cc 1978
250cc 1978
  Pier Paolo Bianchi 125cc 1977, 1978
  Jon Ekerold 350cc 1980
250cc 1977
  Kenny Roberts 500cc 1978, 1980
  Kork Ballington 250cc 1979, 1980
  Anton Mang 250cc 1981, 1984
  Jorge Martínez 125cc 1988, 1989
  Carlos Cardús 250cc 1989, 1990
  Ezio Gianola 125cc 1985, 1992
  Loris Reggiani 250cc 1991, 1992
  Wayne Rainey 500cc 1991, 1992
  Loris Capirossi 250cc 1994
125cc 1991
  Tetsuya Harada 250cc 1997, 1998
  Tohru Ukawa 250cc 1999, 2000
  Max Biaggi 500cc 2001
250cc 1996
  Sete Gibernau MotoGP 2003, 2004
  Toni Elías Moto2 2010
250cc 2003
  Jack Miller MotoGP 2021
Moto3 2014
  Sergio García Moto2 2024
Moto3 2021
  Nicholas Spinelli MotoE 2024 Race 1, 2024 Race 2

Multiple winners (manufacturers)

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# Wins Manufacturer Wins
Category Years won
52   Honda MotoGP 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019
500cc 1983, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
350cc 1966
250cc 1961, 1962, 1966, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006
Moto3 2017, 2019
125cc 1961, 1962, 1964, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
50cc 1965
40   Yamaha MotoGP 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017
500cc 1973, 1975, 1978, 1980, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 2001
350cc 1974, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1980
250cc 1964, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986
125cc 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975
17   Aprilia 250cc 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008
125cc 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2007, 2009, 2011
12   MV Agusta 500cc 1959, 1960, 1961, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1974
350cc 1959, 1960, 1972, 1973
125cc 1955
11   Suzuki 500cc 1976, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1990, 2007
125cc 1963, 1965, 1970
50cc 1964, 1967
  Kalex Moto2 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
9   Ducati MotoGP 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
MotoE 2023 Race 1, 2023 Race 2, 2024 Race 1, 2024 Race 2
8   KTM Moto3 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023
7   Derbi 125cc 1988, 1989, 2000, 2008, 2010
80cc 1985
50cc 1970
6   Kawasaki 350cc 1978, 1982
250cc 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981
  Gilera 500cc 1951, 1953, 1954, 1955
250cc 2009
125cc 2001
5   Kreidler 50cc 1962, 1963, 1969, 1976, 1979
4   Morbidelli 125cc 1972, 1977, 1982, 1983
  Garelli 125cc 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
3   Moto Guzzi 350cc 1953, 1955
250cc 1951
  Minarelli 125cc 1978, 1980, 1981
2   Harley-Davidson 350cc 1976
250cc 1976
  Suter Moto2 2011, 2012

By year

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A pink background indicates an event that was not part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing championship.

Year Track MotoE Moto3 Moto2 MotoGP Report
Race 1 Race 2
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
2024 Le Mans   Nicholas Spinelli Ducati   Nicholas Spinelli Ducati   David Alonso CFMoto   Sergio García Boscoscuro   Jorge Martín Ducati Report
2023   Jordi Torres Ducati   Matteo Ferrari Ducati   Daniel Holgado KTM   Tony Arbolino Kalex   Marco Bezzecchi Ducati Report
2022   Mattia Casadei Energica   Dominique Aegerter Energica   Jaume Masià KTM   Augusto Fernández Kalex   Enea Bastianini Ducati Report
2021   Eric Granado Energica   Sergio García Gas Gas   Raúl Fernández Kalex   Jack Miller Ducati Report
2020   Jordi Torres Energica   Niki Tuuli Energica   Celestino Vietti KTM   Sam Lowes Kalex   Danilo Petrucci Ducati Report
Year Track Moto3 Moto2 MotoGP Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
2019 Le Mans   John McPhee Honda   Álex Márquez Kalex   Marc Márquez Honda Report
2018   Albert Arenas KTM   Francesco Bagnaia Kalex   Marc Márquez Honda Report
2017   Joan Mir Honda   Franco Morbidelli Kalex   Maverick Viñales Yamaha Report
2016   Brad Binder KTM   Álex Rins Kalex   Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Report
2015   Romano Fenati KTM   Thomas Lüthi Kalex   Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Report
2014   Jack Miller KTM   Mika Kallio Kalex   Marc Márquez Honda Report
2013   Maverick Viñales KTM   Scott Redding Kalex   Dani Pedrosa Honda Report
2012   Louis Rossi FTR Honda   Thomas Lüthi Suter   Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Report
Year Track 125cc Moto2 MotoGP Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
2011 Le Mans   Maverick Viñales Aprilia   Marc Márquez Suter   Casey Stoner Honda Report
2010   Pol Espargaró Derbi   Toni Elías Moriwaki   Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Report
Year Track 125cc 250cc MotoGP Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
2009 Le Mans   Julián Simón Aprilia   Marco Simoncelli Gilera   Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Report
2008   Mike Di Meglio Derbi   Alex Debón Aprilia   Valentino Rossi Yamaha Report
2007   Sergio Gadea Aprilia   Jorge Lorenzo Aprilia   Chris Vermeulen Suzuki Report
2006   Thomas Lüthi Honda   Yuki Takahashi Honda   Marco Melandri Honda Report
2005   Thomas Lüthi Honda   Daniel Pedrosa Honda   Valentino Rossi Yamaha Report
2004   Andrea Dovizioso Honda   Daniel Pedrosa Honda   Sete Gibernau Honda Report
2003   Daniel Pedrosa Honda   Toni Elías Aprilia   Sete Gibernau Honda Report
2002   Lucio Cecchinello Aprilia   Fonsi Nieto Aprilia   Valentino Rossi Honda Report
Year Track 125cc 250cc 500cc Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
2001 Le Mans   Manuel Poggiali Gilera   Daijiro Kato Honda   Max Biaggi Yamaha Report
2000   Youichi Ui Derbi   Tohru Ukawa Honda   Àlex Crivillé Honda Report
1999 Paul Ricard   Roberto Locatelli Aprilia   Tohru Ukawa Honda   Àlex Crivillé Honda Report
1998   Kazuto Sakata Aprilia   Tetsuya Harada Aprilia   Àlex Crivillé Honda Report
1997   Valentino Rossi Aprilia   Tetsuya Harada Aprilia   Mick Doohan Honda Report
1996   Stefano Perugini Aprilia   Max Biaggi Aprilia   Mick Doohan Honda Report
1995 Le Mans   Haruchika Aoki Honda   Ralf Waldmann Honda   Mick Doohan Honda Report
1994   Noboru Ueda Honda   Loris Capirossi Honda   Mick Doohan Honda Report
1992 Magny-Cours   Ezio Gianola Honda   Loris Reggiani Aprilia   Wayne Rainey Yamaha Report
1991 Paul Ricard   Loris Capirossi Honda   Loris Reggiani Aprilia   Wayne Rainey Yamaha Report
1990 Le Mans   Hans Spaan Honda   Carlos Cardús Honda   Kevin Schwantz Suzuki Report
Year Track 80cc 125cc 250cc 500cc Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
1989 Le Mans   Jorge Martínez Derbi   Carlos Cardús Honda   Eddie Lawson Honda Report
1988 Paul Ricard   Jorge Martínez Derbi   Jacques Cornu Honda   Eddie Lawson Yamaha Report
1987 Le Mans   Fausto Gresini Garelli   Reinhold Roth Honda   Randy Mamola Yamaha Report
1986 Paul Ricard   Luca Cadalora Garelli   Carlos Lavado Yamaha   Eddie Lawson Yamaha Report
1985 Le Mans   Ángel Nieto Derbi   Ezio Gianola Garelli   Freddie Spencer Honda   Freddie Spencer Honda Report
1984 Paul Ricard   Ángel Nieto Garelli   Anton Mang Yamaha   Freddie Spencer Honda Report
Year Track 50cc 125cc 250cc 500cc Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
1983 Le Mans   Stefan Dörflinger Krauser   Ricardo Tormo Morbidelli MBA   Alan Carter Yamaha   Freddie Spencer Honda Report
Year Track 50cc 125cc 250cc 350cc 500cc Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
1982 Nogaro   Jean-Claude Selini Morbidelli MBA   Jean-Louis Tournadre Yamaha   Jean-François Baldé Kawasaki   Michel Frutschi Sanvenero Report
1981 Paul Ricard   Ángel Nieto Minarelli   Anton Mang Kawasaki   Marco Lucchinelli Suzuki Report
1980   Ángel Nieto Minarelli   Kork Ballington Kawasaki   Jon Ekerold Yamaha   Kenny Roberts Yamaha Report
1979 Le Mans   Eugenio Lazzarini Kreidler   Guy Bertin Motobécane   Kork Ballington Kawasaki   Patrick Fernandez Yamaha   Barry Sheene Suzuki Report
1978 Nogaro   Pier Paolo Bianchi Minarelli   Gregg Hansford Kawasaki   Gregg Hansford Kawasaki   Kenny Roberts Yamaha Report
1977 Paul Ricard   Pier Paolo Bianchi Morbidelli   Jon Ekerold Yamaha   Takazumi Katayama Yamaha   Barry Sheene Suzuki Report
1976 Le Mans   Herbert Rittberger Kreidler   Walter Villa Harley-Davidson   Walter Villa Harley-Davidson   Barry Sheene Suzuki Report
1975 Paul Ricard   Kent Andersson Yamaha   Johnny Cecotto Yamaha   Johnny Cecotto Yamaha   Giacomo Agostini Yamaha Report
1974 Clermont-Ferrand   Henk van Kessel Van Veen Kreidler   Kent Andersson Yamaha   Giacomo Agostini Yamaha   Phil Read MV Agusta Report
1973 Paul Ricard   Kent Andersson Yamaha   Jarno Saarinen Yamaha   Giacomo Agostini MV Agusta   Jarno Saarinen Yamaha Report
1972 Clermont-Ferrand   Gilberto Parlotti Morbidelli   Phil Read Yamaha   Giacomo Agostini MV Agusta   Giacomo Agostini MV Agusta Report
1970 Le Mans   Ángel Nieto Derbi   Dieter Braun Suzuki   Rodney Gould Yamaha   Giacomo Agostini MV Agusta Report
1969   Aalt Toersen Kreidler   Jean Auréal Yamaha   Santiago Herrero Ossa   Giacomo Agostini MV Agusta Report
1967 Clermont-Ferrand   Yoshimi Katayama Suzuki   Bill Ivy Yamaha   Bill Ivy Yamaha Report
1966   Mike Hailwood Honda   Mike Hailwood Honda Report
1965 Rouen   Ralph Bryans Honda   Hugh Anderson Suzuki   Phil Read Yamaha Report
1964 Clermont-Ferrand   Hugh Anderson Suzuki   Luigi Taveri Honda   Phil Read Yamaha Report
1963   Hans-Georg Anscheidt Kreidler   Hugh Anderson Suzuki Report
1962   Jan Huberts Kreidler   Kunimitsu Takahashi Honda   Jim Redman Honda Report
Year Track 125cc 250cc 350cc 500cc Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
1961 Clermont-Ferrand   Tom Phillis Honda   Tom Phillis Honda   Gary Hocking MV Agusta Report
1960   Gary Hocking MV Agusta   John Surtees MV Agusta Report
1959   John Surtees MV Agusta   John Surtees MV Agusta Report
1958 Pau   Jacques Collot   Jacques Collot Report
1955 Reims   Carlo Ubbiali MV Agusta   Duilio Agostini Moto Guzzi   Geoff Duke Gilera Report
1954   Werner Haas NSU   Pierre Monneret AJS   Pierre Monneret Gilera Report
1953 Rouen   Fergus Anderson Moto Guzzi   Geoff Duke Gilera Report
Year Track 175cc 250cc 350cc 500cc Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
1952 Albi   Georges Burgraff   Fergus Anderson   Jack Brett   Jack Brett Report
1951 Albi   Bruno Ruffo Moto Guzzi   Geoff Duke Norton   Alfredo Milani Gilera Report
Year Track 175cc 250cc 350cc 500cc Report
1949 Saint-Gaudens   Fergus Anderson   David Whitworth   Leslie Graham Report
1939 Reims   Ewald Kluge   Heiner Fleischmann   John White Report
1938   Ewald Kluge   Roger Loyer   Georges Cordey Report
1937 Montlhéry   "Dickwell"   Roger Loyer   Ted Mellors   Ted Mellors Report
1936 Saint-Gaudens   Henry Nougier   Georges Monneret   Ted Mellors   Ragnar Sunnqvist Report
1935 Montlhéry   Jean Térigi   Ove Lambert-Meuller   Carl Bagenholm   René Milhoux Report
1933 Dieppe   Eric Fernihough   Charlie Manders   Jimmie Simpson   Tim Hunt Report
1932 Reims   Eric Fernihough   Leo Davenport   Jimmie Simpson   Stanley Woods Report
1931 Montlhéry   Eric Fernihough   Graham Walker   Ernie Nott   Tim Hunt Report
1930 Pau   Eric Fernihough   Ted Mellors   Freddie Hicks   Stanley Woods Report
1929 Le Mans   Albert Sourdot   Syd Crabtree   Freddie Hicks   Charlie Dodson Report
1928 Bordeaux   Marcel Jolly   Syd Crabtree   Stanley Woods Report
1927 Saint-Gaudens   Albert Sourdot   Syd Crabtree   Frank Longman   Joe Craig Report
1926 Strasbourg   Lucien Lemasson   Syd Crabtree   Jean Roland   Alec Bennett Report
1925 Montlhéry   Albert Sourdot   Jean Roland   J. Stevens   Jimmie Simpson Report
1924 Lyon   Albert Sourdot   Paul Meunier   Frank Longman   Alec Bennett Report
1923 Tours   Geoff Davison   Frank Longman   Jim Whalley Report
1922 Strasbourg   Geoff Davison   Erminio Visioli   Alec Bennett Report
1921 Le Mans   "Vernisse"   Paul Meunier   Alec Bennett Report
1920   Marcel Mourier   Kenelm Bartlett   Georges Jolly Report

References

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  1. ^ "French GP held at Le Mans until 2026". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  2. ^ "1972 500cc Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  3. ^ "1970 500cc Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  4. ^ "1975 500cc Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  5. ^ "2000 500cc Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  6. ^ "2003 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  7. ^ "2005 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  8. ^ "2006 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  9. ^ "2011 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  10. ^ "2017 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  11. ^ "2019 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
  12. ^ "2021 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
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