#French GP Le Mans, Maverick Vinales “Staying with Johann during the first laps was difficult”

What a perfect day for Maverick! Not only did he win his third Grand Prix of the year, out of five events contested, but he unintentionally took advantage of the misfortune of his main rivals for the title Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez to widen a large gap in the provisional ranking of the World Championship.

Before the race, Vinales was in second position, two points behind teammate Valentino Rossi and two ahead of Marc Marquez. The race therefore promised to be very competitive, and it was, but no one expected that Maverick would be able to open up such a significant gap.

Maverick Viñales started from pole for the second time this season, on the circuit where he achieved his first podium in the MotoGP category last year. He took his first Grand Prix victory at Le Mans in the 125 in 2011.

He had to give up first position at the first turn to Johann Zarco, who started on soft tires and was very motivated in front of his crowd. Maverick did not panic and followed him, accompanied by Valentino Rossi. The Spaniard placed his attack in the seventh round and overtook Zarco, but Rossi then passed him. The Italian made a small mistake and Vinales regained the advantage. Rossi threatened him until the end, but unfortunately fell on the last lap.

With three victories now in five races, Vinales clearly dominates the World Championship after this French GP. For his first season with Yamaha, it is the undeniable recognition of his great talent.

For Maverick Vinales, “Staying with Johann for the first few laps of the race was difficult, he was really fast and with a full tank we weren't as strong as him.

“He came out of the corners very well and very quickly. Then his tire started to go down a little bit and our tire started to work well in the back, and lap after lap I felt better.

“Until the end, on the last lap, I gave everything I had here at the French GP and, honestly, I'm very happy. The team worked at an incredible level this weekend, I hope we can continue like this. Of course the tires worked very well here, we hope we can work like that also in Mugello. »

Classification of the French Grand Prix:

1. Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 43m 29.793s
2. Johann Zarco FRA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 43m 32.927s
3. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 43m 37.510s
4. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 43m 41.016s
5. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 43m 43.312s
6. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 43m 53.795s
7. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 43m 55.526s
8. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 44m 2.396s
9. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 44m 15.577s
10. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 44m 18.125s
11. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 44m 19.829s
12. Pol Espargaro ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 44m 22.454s
13. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 44m 22.972s
14. Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* 44m 25.225s
15. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 44m 36.671s

Provisional ranking of the World Championship:

1	Maverick VIÑALES	Yamaha	SPA	85
2	Dani PEDROSA	Honda	SPA	68
3	Valentino ROSSI	Yamaha	ITA	62
4	Marc Márquez	Honda	SPA	58
5	johann zarco	Yamaha	FRA	55
6	Andrea Dovizioso	Ducati	ITA	54
7	Cal Crutchlow	Honda	GBR	40
8	Jorge Lorenzo	Ducati	SPA	38
9	Jonas Folger	Yamaha	GER	38
10	Jack Miller	Honda	AUS	29
11	Danilo PETRUCCI	Ducati	ITA	26
12	Scott REDDING	Ducati	GBR	26
13	Loris BAZ	Ducati	FRA	19
14	Aleix Espargaro	Aprilia	SPA	17
15	Andrea Iannone	Suzuki	ITA	15
16	Alvaro BAUTISTA	Ducati	SPA	14
17	Tito RABAT	Honda	SPA	13
18	Hector BARBERA	Ducati	SPA	12
19	Karel ABRAHAM	Ducati	CZE	9
20	Alex Rins	Suzuki	SPA	7
21	Pol Espargaró	KTM	SPA	6
22	Bradley SMITH	KTM	GBR	6
23	Sam LOWES	Aprilia	GBR	2
24	Sylvain GUINTOLI	Suzuki	FRA	1