MotoGP: Maverick Vinales Wins Thrilling French GP; Leads World Championship

In what might be a heartbreaking sight for fans of Valentino Rossi, he crashed on the final lap of the French GP. Johann Zarco of Tech 3 Yamaha claimed his maiden podium finish, after Rossi's crash which promoted him to second place. Honda's Dani Pedrosa finished third.

Andrea Dovizioso riding for Ducati came in fourth. Meanwhile, reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez, crashed on lap 18, while Britain's Cal Crutchlow was fifth.

The race started with Vinales and Rossi in the lead, followed by Tech 3's Zarco riding on his home circuit. Zarco was quick to take the lead at turn 2. Riding on soft tyres at the front and rear, the French rider led the race in the opening laps before the Yamaha riders started to build the pressure on him. Maverick Vinales reclaimed the lead on Lap 7.

With Vinales on the lead, Zarco was trying to fend off pressure from Rossi, but Rossi overtook him on lap 23. Rossi surge continued as he tried to catch up with Vinales and passed him on lap 28.

With Rossi in the lead, it seemed the world champion was all set to take his first win of the season. However, Rossi ran wide on Turn 8 allowing his teammate to pass, eventually crashing at Turn 11 of the final lap.

Honda's Pedrosa made some excellent moves finishing third after starting a distant 13th to take his second consecutive podium of the season.

Jorge Lorenzo finished sixth in Le Mans starting eighth, while Tech 3's Jonas Folger finished seventh succeeded by Jack Miller of Marc VDS Honda and Loris Baz of Avintia Ducati at eighth and ninth respectively. Completing the top 10 was Suzuki's, Andra Iannone.