Ducati Sporting Club UK > News Items > Ducati Press Releases > Francesco Bagnaia and the Ducati Lenovo Team forced into early retirement in the French Grand Prix due to a crash

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MotoGP | 10 May 2026

Francesco Bagnaia and the Ducati Lenovo Team forced into early retirement in the French Grand Prix due to a crash

The Ducati Lenovo Team completed the Grand Prix of France at Le Mans. Francesco Bagnaia, after an encouraging performance, crashed out while running in second place.

Following a less-than-perfect start from pole position, Bagnaia found himself in fifth place four corners into the race. Pecco managed to make his way up to second position — which he took on lap seven — before trying to bridge the gap to then-leader Bezzecchi. At the start of lap sixteen, however, while less than a second behind his rival, he tucked the front at turn three.

As the fifth Grand Prix of the season draws to a close, Marc Márquez is seventh in the championship standings with 57 points. Bagnaia is ninth, 14 points behind his teammate. The Ducati Lenovo Team is fifth in the teams' standings (100 points), while Ducati sits second in the constructors' championship (128 points).

The Ducati Lenovo Team will be back in action already this Friday, May 15th, for the opening day of action of the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya at Montmeló.

Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – DNF
“The weekend overall was a positive one: we started strongly and worked well, and we were fast in every session while improving constantly. We were in the podium battle today despite a small issue at the start, but then we encountered a minor setback that made me lose confidence with the front-end. I still tried to push and maintain the pace, but the front tucked. These things can happen. We have a clear idea of what we need to work on and we'll do so ahead of the upcoming races.”