Fernandez escapes last corner drama for Le Mans win

Beñat Fernandez was almost taken out at the final Le Mans double right-hander by fellow 18-year-old Spaniard David Gonzalez. But while Gonzalez skated past his front wheel and into the gravel, Fernandez extended his points lead in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup with a perfect win.

Japanese 17-year-old Ryota Ogiwara was an excellent 2nd just ahead of Colombian 15-year-old Mateo Marulanda. They had both come from the middle of the grid to join the race-long battle for the lead that went all the way to the flag.

The grid before the start of Race 1 in Le Mans 2025

Red Bull MotoGP™ Rookies Cup Les Mans: Race 3

Watch the rookies on their pursuit of glory in the Red Bull MotoGP™ Rookies Cup 2026 in France.

1st Beñat Fernandez 🇪🇸

“I got in front from the start, but I didn't feel that the front had the grip I needed to get away, so I decided to just stay near the front."

If you drop back in the pack, it can become very hard to get to the front again.
#7 BEÑAT FERNANDEZ

"I thought that David would try something at the end, I was in front, so the only thing I could do was brake right on the limit. Then I knew that if he was going to brake later, he would be in trouble.”

Beñat Fernandez is the happy winner of Race 1 in Le Mans 2026
© Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

2nd Ryota Ogiwara 🇯🇵

“I didn't expect this result. I was not that fast in Qualifying. I started P13, but I got a good start and up to maybe 7th or 6th at turn one, and I thought, 'yes, I can battle in the front group'."

I had a super good feeling on the bike, and I kept pushing.
#97 RYOTA OGIWARA

No way to have a plan for the last lap, everyone was so close, just do the maximum.”

Ryota Ogiwara takes 2nd place in Le Mans 2026
© Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

3rd Mateo Marulanda 🇨🇴

“That was so difficult because at the beginning, I was so far back from P11 on the grid and not really a great start.

I just kept pushing and managed to close down on the leaders and finally battle at the front and get the podium.
#27 MATEO MARULANDA

"I am so happy with the progress because I was not happy with the track at the start of practice.”

Mateo Marulanda takes 3rd position in Race 1 - Le Mans 2026
© Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

Start of Race 1 in Le Mans 2026
© Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

Ryota Ogiwara followed by Mounsey and Daniel during Race 1 in Le Mans 2026
© Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

Marulanda and Sparks fighting for positions during Race 1 in Le Mans 2026
© Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

Sullivan Mounsey leading Race 1 in Le Mans 2026
© Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

Benat Fernandez leading Race 1 in Le Mans 2026

Ryota Ogiwara had a few tough battles in Le Mans 2026 - Race 1

Ryota Ogiwara ahead of Gonzales and Fernandez in Le Mans 2026 - Race 1

David Gonzalez and Sullivan Mounsey racing in Le Mans 2026 - Race 1

Benat Fernandez leading the Rookies Train in Le Mans 2026 - Race 1

Top 3 Race 1 - M. Marulanda | B. Fernandez | R. Ogiwara - Le Mans 2026

4th Fernando Bujosa 🇪🇸

“Points for the championship, it was another great race, a lot of fighting."

I learnt a bit today.
#69 FERNANDO BUJOSA

"I was waiting for the end, but when I had to push, the rear tyre had lost a bit of grip, and I couldn't get to the front. I am one of the bigger guys, and I feel my weight is a disadvantage.”

5th Travis Borg 🇲🇹

“In the beginning, I lost the lead group, and then I started to push, and so I caught up and managed to get to P2, but then lost a bit of grip, so fighting for the win was too risky."

I had to think about the points and finished P5.
#23 TRAVIS BORG

"I hope that it will be dry tomorrow because I'm not really good in the wet.

Red Bull Rookies Cup Le Mans 2026 - Results Overview Race 1

POS

#

NAME

NAT

TIME

KM/H

GAP

🥇

7

Beñat FERNANDEZ

SPA

26'24.308

142.6

🥈

97

Ryota OGIWARA

JPN

26'24.525

142.6

0.217

🥉

27

Mateo MARULANDA

COL

26'24.689

142.6

0.381

4

69

Fernando BUJOSA

SPA

26'24.768

142.6

0.460

5

23

Travis BORG

MLT

26'24.886

142.5

0.578

6

4

Sullivan MOUNSEY

GBR

26'25.001

142.5

0.693

7

85

Kiattisak SINGHAPONG

THA

26'25.086

142.5

0.778

8

70

Kristian DANIEL

USA

26'25.324

142.5

1.016

9

24

Guillem PLANQUES

FRA

26'28.822

142.5

4.514

10

32

Kiandra RAMADHIPA

INA

26'30.591

142.0

6.283

11

31

Giulio PUGLIESE

ITA

26'31.398

142.0

7.090

12

62

Ethan SPARKS

GBR

26'35.648

141.6

11.340

13

77

Kerman TINEZ

VEN

26'35.730

141.6

11.422

14

51

Alfonsi DAQUIGAN

PHI

26'39.163

141.3

14.855

15

22

Alejandra FERNANDEZ

SPA

26'41.533

141.1

17.225

16

36

Jurrien VAN CRUGTEN

NED

26'41.631

141.0

17.323

17

57

Cristian BORRELLI

ITA

26'41.986

141.0

17.678

18

9

Luca AGOSTINELLI

VIE

26'42.445

141.0

18.137

19

17

Yaroslav KARPUSHIN

KGZ

26'43.390

140.9

19.082

20

72

David DA COSTA

FRA

26'49.068

140.4

24.760

21

18

Archie SCHMIDT

AUS

26'55.755

139.8

31.447

DNF

11

David GONZALEZ

SPA

24'39.094

140.6

1 lap

DNF

71

Carlos CANO

SPA

19'41.136

140.3

4 laps

DNF

20

Fynn KRATOCHWIL

GER

10'42.300

140.7

9 laps

DNF

47

Tibor VARGA

HUN

8'54.704

140.8

10 laps

DNF

10

Afonso ALMEIDA

POR

3'40.337

136.7

13 laps

Complete Race 1 Data -CLICK HERE

Fernandez escapes last corner drama for Red Bull Rookies Cup Le Mans win

Red Bull MotoGP™ Rookies Cup Les Mans: Race 3

1st Beñat Fernandez 🇪🇸

2nd Ryota Ogiwara 🇯🇵

3rd Mateo Marulanda 🇨🇴

📺 WATCH LIVE - Rookies Cup Le Mans 2026

Points leader on Pole – Red Bull Rookies Cup …

Le Mans will supercharge the French for Red Bull …

4th Fernando Bujosa 🇪🇸

5th Travis Borg 🇲🇹

Red Bull Rookies Cup Le Mans 2026 - Results Overview Race 1

More Stories