Another MotoGP™ weekend, this time at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France, brings fresh opportunities for Fantasy players to continue their good form into Round 5 – or start to claw back the points they have squandered in the opening four rounds.

Bagnaia and Marc Marquez come good in Jerez

After crashing out in the Tissot Sprint last time out, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team, $4m) and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™, $2.9m) owners will have been feeling glum before Sunday. The duo are two of the three most owned riders in the game, but following a disappointing Saturday, the #1 and #93 treated us all to a battle for the ages on Sunday afternoon – and handed their owners a healthy stack of points.

46 (Bagnaia) and 34 (Marquez) were the points they gained on Sunday in Jerez as the most popular Constructor, Ducati, also tallied a scrumptious sum of 40 points. You take those results any day if you’re an owner of that triple-up.

Has a new contender emerged for Le Mans?

By now, most players own at least one of Bagnaia and Marc Marquez. Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) is the fourth highest-owned rider, so after his crash, there will have been plenty of smiles turned upside down. None of them come close to Pedro Acosta’s (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, $2.4m) ownership though, with over 37,000 of you – rightly so – having the rookie star in your teams. Even after a quiet Sunday outing on home soil, if you don’t by now, then that needs to change. 

On the other hand, a rider who returned to form in Jerez who isn’t in the top 10 most owned riders could now be on the shopping list for many. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, $2.9m) won the 2023 French GP and after a P3 on Sunday in Spain, the Italian might have found his mojo in 2024 to offer Fantasy players a decent punt. 

Bezzecchi is quite pricey - he costs the same as Marc Marquez for example - but jumping on the Bez bandwagon early might prove to be a brilliant call. Being one step ahead of your mini-league rivals is what it's all about sometimes. 

Others to cast an eye on in France

Following his great form in Portimao and Austin, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing, $2.8m) was the most traded-in rider before a lowkey weekend followed in Jerez. However, after discovering what the issue was with his second bike, plus the fact he loves Le Mans, Viñales should be back at the sharp end this weekend.

Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™, $1.9m) was the third-highest scorer in Jerez with 27 points bagged, proving that it's not just wins and podiums that score you a solid haul of points. If you’re after a cheaper rider, the Spaniard could be a decent option if the Sunday comebacks continue.

Teammate Fabio Quartararo is slightly more expensive at $2.4m, but if you’ve got the funds, then gambling on the Frenchman to have a good weekend on home turf might tickle your fancy.

Remember to lock in your teams before MotoGP™ Q1 begins at 10:50 (UTC +2) on Saturday morning.