Logbook of a rider at the French MotoGP

You can be passionate about new mobility and follow MotoGP with enthusiasm… on TV. The opportunity to take a trip to the French Grand Prix can’t be refused.

Whether it’s the 24 Hours of Le Mans or MotoGP, the thrill is equally intense when entering the automotive sport’s Eden Park, the Bugatti circuit. While I am well familiar with the track itself, I don’t recognize its surroundings. The Technoparc and nearby parking lots are flooded with motorcycles, as are the terraces of popular spots like “Le casque” or “At the circuit gates.” No hostility from the bikers toward the few cars trying to make their way to the North and South entrances. Any effort to pull over and let a motorcycle pass is even rewarded with a gesture of the leg or hand. A savoir-vivre — a sense of courtesy — that many drivers could learn from.

As always, crossing the control points is done with utmost professionalism and good humor. No matter how many wheels, Le Mans remains a land of motorsport enthusiasts, and the circuit’s teams are a benchmark in organization.

A very French land, but in a wholly Spanish environment—the nationality of almost all the teams from DORNA, the organizer and promoter of the championship. Once the Media pass is activated, it’s all-inclusive MotoGP! No need for additional vests or bracelets; everything is accessible with a smile—from the track edges to the official buildings and hospitality areas. After all, when a competition has nothing to hide, there’s nothing to fear from criticism.

And on the track? The impact is enormous when you see Moto2 bikes for the first time. The angles taken by the riders through the “S” curves of Garage Bleu defy gravity. The engine noise is destabilizing, but the spectacle is incredible. We decide to test our precious credentials by heading to the Dunlop chicane along the track edge to watch MotoGP qualifying. After passing the pit exit, the session begins, and racing machines traveling nearly 300 km/h pass by us at close range.

I’ve seen a lot, but nothing compares to the on-track spectacle of these human-sized missiles. I wonder what passes through riders’ minds as they exit their bubble, at the end of the long straight—which is anything but straight—firing an extraterrestrial brake before approaching the ground-level left of the chicane. Once the turn is through, the bike immediately tilts to the right, the rider places their knee on the ground, clears the curb, and accelerates furiously toward the bridge. Sorry, but damn, that’s beautiful!!!

Once the session ends, we head back down to take a quick look in the pits. No security guards blocking our way, and the bikes are freely displayed in the Pit Lane. Such a sense of freedom feels truly unreal. From the garage setups to team uniforms, everything adheres to the highest standards. Yet, it’s far from the flamboyance of Formula 1 and its inherent tendency for excess. It’s beautiful, clean, and functional—motorcycles are displayed like jewels on pedestals, often set against a very rock-oriented background, and always with a smile.

A quick note on the tire sizes used in Moto3… I really need someone to explain to me how riders can take such sharp angles with such narrow tires! At the end of the pit lane, we join our friends from Canal+ who are covering the upcoming Sprint Race. Johann Zarco then emerges from his pit to warmly greet the crowd. The connection with MotoGP fans is complete.

The success of a sporting event is also judged by the enthusiasm of the crowd, and here at Le Mans, it’s a real celebration. Everywhere, sound systems and giant screens keep excitement high. Claude Michy and his teams know how to host, and the record attendance figures recorded this year are no coincidence but a true reward for their efforts.

The dress code spans a wide spectrum—from bermuda and bare chest to full leather. The fluorescent yellow, beloved by Valentino Rossi, remains the dominant color—evidence of the incredible popularity of “The Doctor” and the huge void he leaves in his community’s heart. Coincidentally, Rossi raced that day at Spa in FIA WEC driving a BMW M4 GT3. Fortunately, Zarco’s 5 and Quartararo’s 20 outshine Vale’s 46. As for the number 1 or 63 of the reigning champion, Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, he’s still tentative, but it’s sure that at Misano, the balance of power will shift. People drink (a little), laugh (without moderation), and banter without hostility, without hate speech, and without fighting. Let’s rejoice that our sports have escaped the worst maladies.

The Sarthe event hosted rookies from the Red Bull Cup at the bottom of the pyramid, then Moto3, Moto2, and of course, MotoGP. But for the past three seasons, a 100% electric category has appeared—MotoE. Disappointed by the total lack of emotion I get from Formula E, I was curious to see what the motorcycle had made of this electric technology destined to become the norm. And honestly, it’s a very pleasant surprise! The bikes are beautiful, very well handled, and the whistling sound produced by Ducati’s machines is not unpleasant. In the pit lane, they even chirp like sparrows! It’s spectacularly thrilling, and motorcycling may be better equipped than cars in this virtuous transition.

Before leaving, we walk through the paddock one last time, and a comparison with F1 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans is unavoidable. While everything is of impeccable quality—on par with Le Mans—we are still quite below F1 standards in MotoGP. We know most of the revenues come from TV rights and partners, and nothing is spared. But if you didn’t know, the promoter of MotoGP, DORNA, was bought this year by Liberty Media, which already owns F1 rights. Some people we spoke with on the circuit expressed fears of rising costs and a move to align MotoGP standards with F1. However, two-wheel machines are far less expensive than single-seaters, and the upcoming regulations trend toward reducing costs, whereas F1 heads toward even more complex and costly rules. Liberty Media will surely have good lessons in common sense from DORNA.

As I leave the circuit, I know I will come back. I will select some curious friends eager to discover these lively daredevils, and I will wear a polo shirt with the number 5 or 20. I might even set aside my electric car for a motorcycle… electric, of course!