New all-time lap record set at 2026 French Grand Prix

· Mallorca rider Izan Guevara (Boscoscuro) secured pole position for the Moto2™ race at the 2026 French Grand Prix, also setting the new all-time lap record for the intermediate class. With a time of 1’33.910 on his second run, Guevara improved the previous lap record by more than four tenths, beating last year’s time by Manuel Gonzalez (1’34.315). Overall, 13 riders rode below the previous benchmark. Tyre-wise, everyone opted for SC1 soft front and SCX supersoft rear compounds, including second-placed Daniel Holgado (Kalex) and third-placed Filip Salač (Kalex).

· Spaniard Adrián Fernández, riding the Leopard Racing Honda, took pole for the Moto3™ race with a lap of 1’40.044 on his eighth and final attempt, snatching the top spot from fellow Spaniard Máximo Quiles (KTM), who ended up second. Third place went to another Honda rider, Australian Joel Kelso. In qualifying, all riders used soft SC1 rear compound tyres. The same compound was also the most popular front-tyre choice, used by both Fernández and Kelso, while Quiles opted for the medium SC2.

· A circuit for softer compounds. Over the course of the sessions, the Le Mans track confirmed low abrasiveness and limited tyre wear, alongside a rather modest intrinsic asphalt grip. Given the conditions, softer compounds are better suited for this kind of track, and they can offset the grip deficit through a strong chemical grip and ensure a good lap performance and consistent behaviour over race distance. From a timing perspective, the afternoon sessions were the best-performing ones, thanks to the warmer weather, ideal for the operating window of softer compounds.

Le Mans confirms records and steady progress

“With the exception of Goiânia – the new circuit added to the World Championship calendar this year – since the start of the Moto2™ season both the all-time lap records and the race fastest laps were improved at every Grand Prix held so far. This upward trend is clearly evident also at Le Mans, where in qualifying Guevara shortened the previous circuit record set last year by more than four tenths.
Apart from being the combined work of teams and riders, these developments highlight the contribution made by the tyres technical package, as confirmed by the fact that the improvements occurred across the grid. A significant part of this progress can be attributed to the SCX supersoft rear solution in its 2026 update, characterised by high grip, a particularly effective operating window, and improved consistency over distance.
The SC1 soft front also received very positive reviews, with the riders appreciating its grip, predictability and ability to achieve with clear feedback. In both cases, these soft solutions maximise the chassis set-up potential, in the effort to deliver faster lap times.
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s races, weather conditions remain changeable, with possible rainfall. In dry conditions, in Moto2™ the unanimous use of the soft SC1 front and supersoft SCX rear combo is very likely, while in Moto3™ the soft SC1 solutions should be the go-to choice for both axles”.