MotoGP in France? Your UK Viewing Guide & Beyond

The roar of the engines and the smell of burning rubber continue to captivate motorsport enthusiasts worldwide, especially as the 2024 MotoGP season hurtles towards its dramatic conclusion. With just two meetings remaining on a gruelling 20-race calendar, the fight for the World Riders' Championship is a nail-biting, straight shoot-out between the reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia and the formidable Jorge Martín. While you might be eager to know where to catch all this high-octane action specifically in France, the details provided primarily focus on viewing options within the United Kingdom and other key regions. However, fear not, as we'll guide you through the championship's current state, the thrilling calendar, and how fans, including those in France, can generally access the races.

The Epic 2024 Championship Showdown

This season has been nothing short of spectacular, delivering edge-of-your-seat racing at every turn. Francesco Bagnaia, the defending title holder, has showcased incredible skill, securing victories at circuits like Jerez, Catalonia, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Japan, and Thailand. Yet, despite this impressive tally, he still trails Jorge Martín, the current leader, by 17 points heading into the final two races. Martín, chasing his first-ever Championship win, has claimed victories in Portugal, France, and Indonesia, and his nine second-place finishes—including a remarkable hat-trick in Great Britain, Austria, and Aragon—have kept him ahead in the standings.

The championship isn't just a two-horse race, though. Compatriots Enea Bastianini, Maverick Viñales, and Marc Marquez have also contributed to the season's excitement, collectively winning six races. As the paddock prepares for the Malaysian Grand Prix, followed by the season finale in Valencia, the top two contenders will be desperate to extend the current 80-point gap from the chasing pack and solidify their place in MotoGP history.

Navigating the 2024 MotoGP Calendar

The 2024 season kicked off with a shake-up, seeing the opener return to Qatar's Lusail International Circuit, where Bagnaia clinched a dramatic victory. Following the Portuguese Grand Prix, which saw Martín and Bastianini challenge Bagnaia's early lead, the European leg of the season took centre stage. Races across Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Austria, and San Marino provided a summer of intense competition.

As the European summer concluded, the riders jetted off to the Far East and Pacific regions for the decisive final stretch. Martín's return to winning ways in Indonesia proved pivotal, and the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix could be a game-changer before the season culminates with the Valencian Grand Prix at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Spain.

Remaining 2024 MotoGP Race Schedule

Where to Watch MotoGP in the UK

For fans in the United Kingdom, catching all the MotoGP action is straightforward, with both subscription and free-to-air options available. TNT Sports is your go-to for comprehensive, wall-to-wall coverage of every race session, from practice to qualifying and the main event. Their subscription service, coupled with streaming via discovery+, ensures you won't miss a moment.

Additionally, free-to-air broadcasting is provided by ITV. Viewers can tune into ITV4 for live coverage or stream the action via ITVX. This dual approach means British fans have excellent access to the championship.

Example UK Broadcast Schedule (Hungarian Grand Prix 2025)

To give you an idea of the depth of coverage, here’s a sample schedule for a hypothetical Grand Prix in the UK. This highlights the extensive programming fans can expect:

It’s also worth noting that from late February 2025, TNT Sports will consolidate its motorsport offerings. All live and non-live content previously broadcast on Eurosport, including Bennetts British Superbikes and FIM World Superbikes, will be added to the TNT Sports channel network, alongside continued MotoGP coverage. This means the Eurosport app will close in the UK and Ireland, with Eurosport.com redirecting to TNTSports.co.uk. Live and uninterrupted coverage will also be available on the Discovery+ platform with a TNT Sports subscription.

Global Viewing Options & The MotoGP VideoPass

While the specific details for watching MotoGP directly in France are not explicitly provided in the available information, it's common for different countries to have their own exclusive broadcast partners. For instance, in the USA, truTV and streaming services like Max and Sling TV carry the races. Canadian fans rely on REV TV and TSN+, while Australians can choose between Fox Sports/10 Network and streaming via Kayo Sports/Foxtel Now. In India, Eurosport TV and Viacom18 provide coverage.

For fans everywhere, including those in France, a highly recommended option for comprehensive access is the official MotoGP VideoPass. This subscription service offers live and uninterrupted coverage of every test session, timed practice, qualifying, and race session. It's an excellent way to ensure you don't miss any of the action, regardless of your geographical location, and provides extensive archives and exclusive content.

The Evolution of MotoGP: Sprint Races and Future Calendars

The MotoGP format evolved in 2023 with the introduction of the Saturday Sprint Race, a move designed to reinvigorate interest and offer fans better value with two days of fast-paced action. Sprint races are run over half the respective Grand Prix distance, with points awarded to the top nine riders: 12 points for a win, 9 for second, 7 for third, and then 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point respectively for the remaining places. With Sunday's points structure remaining unchanged, this means a total of 37 points are available for each race weekend, offering a staggering 740 points over a 20-race season.

2025 MotoGP Calendar

Looking ahead, the 2025 season promises even more excitement with a planned 22-race calendar. Fans in France will be delighted to see the French GP at Le Mans remain a highlight:

2026 Provisional MotoGP Calendar

2025 Rider and Team Movements: A Grid Shake-Up

The 2025 season promises a significant shake-up in the rider and team lineups, making the grid even more unpredictable and exciting. While some familiar faces like Pecco Bagnaia, Alex Marquez, Johann Zarco, Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Brad Binder, Joan Mir, Luca Marini, and Raul Fernandez will remain with their current teams, many other big names are swapping bikes and colours.

Perhaps the most talked-about move sees Marc Marquez, after an impressive first year on a Ducati, gain promotion to the full-factory team to partner Bagnaia. This move displaces Enea Bastianini, who transitions to the new Tech 3 KTM team, joining Maverick Viñales, who moves over from Aprilia. It's an all-change scenario at Aprilia, with newly crowned champion Jorge Martin riding alongside Marco Bezzecchi, who moves from VR46 Ducati. Franco Morbidelli takes Bezzecchi's place, also moving from Prima Ducati. Having lost both riders (and potentially the No. 1 plate), Prima Ducati will be joined by Miguel Oliveira (from Trackhouse Aprilia) and Jack Miller (from Red Bull KTM).

While Brad Binder retains his Red Bull KTM ride, he will be joined by the rising star Pedro Acosta, who leaves the (rebranded for 2025) Tech3 GasGas team. The remaining gaps on the grid will be filled by promising riders promoted from Moto2, including 2024 Moto2 champion Ai Ogura joining Raul Fernandez at Roadhouse Aprilia, Somkiat Chantra joining Johann Zarco at LCR Honda, and Fermin Aldeguer joining Alex Marquez at Gresini Ducati. We bid farewell to seasoned riders Aleix Espargaro, Takaaki Nakagami, and Augusto Fernandez from full-time racing, though wildcard appearances, particularly from Espargaro and Fernandez as development riders for Honda and Yamaha respectively, are possible.

MotoGP Rider Standings (Updated following Austrian Grand Prix)

MotoGP - Rider Standings

Moto2 - Rider Standings

Moto3 - Rider Standings

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I watch MotoGP in France?

While specific local broadcasters for watching MotoGP directly in France are not detailed in the information provided, fans in France, like those globally, can typically subscribe to the official MotoGP VideoPass for live and on-demand coverage of every session. It's the most comprehensive way to follow the sport.

How many MotoGP races are there in the 2024 season?

The 2024 MotoGP season features a total of 20 races on its calendar, with just two thrilling meetings left to decide the World Riders' Championship.

What are MotoGP Sprint Races?

Introduced in 2023, Sprint Races are shorter races held on Saturdays, covering half the distance of the main Sunday Grand Prix. They award points to the top nine riders (12 for a win) and add an extra layer of excitement and strategy to each race weekend.

Who are the top riders to watch in 2024?

The 2024 season has been dominated by a fierce rivalry between defending champion Francesco Bagnaia and current leader Jorge Martín. Other notable winners include Enea Bastianini, Maverick Viñales, and Marc Marquez, all of whom contribute to the high level of competition.

When is the French Grand Prix?

The French Grand Prix is a key event on the MotoGP calendar. For the 2025 season, it is scheduled to take place from 9 – 11 May at the iconic Le Mans circuit.

Whether you're following the intense championship battle or simply enjoying the unparalleled spectacle of two-wheeled motorsport, MotoGP continues to deliver pure, unadulterated excitement. While specific broadcast information for France might require local research, the global MotoGP VideoPass stands as a reliable solution for dedicated fans across the continent. Get ready for the thrilling conclusion to 2024 and the exhilarating seasons to come!

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