Le Mans (France), 12th May 2024 : The cumulonimbus cloud hanging over the Le Mans circuit ahead of the Michelin Grand Prix de France Race could have been seen as an omen for the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team. Álex Rins had to contend with all sorts of challenges, but his sheer persistence allowed him to finish inside the points, taking 15th place. Fabio Quartararo was on course for a top-6 result in front of his home fans, but a crash in Turn 9 cut off his dream scenario.

Rins started from P16 but had two difficult opening laps. He found himself in 21st place, battling with Augusto Fernandez to keep his spot. He was successful for a while but ultimately was relegated a position. However, the number-42 rider did still move up two places due to other riders' misfortunes. The Yamaha man then engaged in battle with Luca Marini for 19th position. But Rins' day was about to worsen. He was given a long lap penalty due to taking a shortcut at Turn 9. Rins didn't give up though. He soon continued his sparring match with Marini. This time he was successful. It became a lonely ride from him after that, but with various other riders taking a fall, Rins crossed the finish line in 15th place, 30.936s from first.

Spurred on by the grandstand spectators' rendition of the French national anthem, Quartararo was fired up and ready to go. Launching from P8, he came through in 10th place at the end of the first lap, but with two rivals crashing out in front of him, he was soon back in his starting position. The Frenchman was riding on the limit to stay with the group consisting of five riders fighting for third place. However, with 16 laps to go, Aleix Espargaró went onto the Turn 9 run-off area, and Enea Bastianini was given a long-lap penalty a few laps later. The incidents moved Quartararo up to sixth. He was giving it his all to defend his newly gained position, but the fairy tale was not to be. With 11 laps to go, he crashed in Turn 9. Perfectly OK and happy to have been in contention for a top placement again, he was a little disappointed not to have brought home the special Le Mans livery to celebrate with the fans.

Today's results see Quartararo stay in 12th place in the overall standings with 25 points. Rins remains in 20th position with now 7 points. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP keep their 9th place in the team championship with 32 points, and Yamaha hold onto 4th position in the constructor’s championship with 28 points.

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team will travel to the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello in Italy next for a private test in preparation for the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from 24-26 May.