The Dutchman wants to build on his recent podium finish, while the Spaniard awaits medical clearance for the French Grand Prix.

The French Grand Prix is the latest challenge for the two Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders. Collin Veijer aims to demonstrate his consistency with another strong weekend, following a Pole Position and a podium at Jerez. Jose Antonio Rueda will be pending of medical fit to compete following recent surgery for compartmental syndrome in his right arm.

Veijer visits France off the back of his best weekend in Moto2 to date, as at the Spanish GP he took the first Pole Position for a Dutchman in the intermediate class since 1991, then placed third in the race itself. As for the French Grand Prix, it was the only round in which he failed to finish the race in 2025, crashing out on the opening lap. Despite not having competed at Le Mans in former series, Veijer does have fond memories of the French circuit, where he finished third in 2024 during his second season in the Moto3 World Championship. Now, the Dutchman is 9th in the standings with 29.5 points.

Rueda experienced discomfort in his right arm during recent Grand Prix weekends, and decided to undergo surgery last week to treat compartmental syndrome in a routine procedure. With barely a week to recover, he travels to France awaiting clearance from the MotoGP medical team to compete in the fifth round of the season. Rueda finished 20th in the Spanish Grand Prix, as part of a tough start to 2026, but the reigning Moto3 World Champion wants to make a fresh start in France, where last year he secured his fourth victory of 2025. Currently, Rueda is 21st in the Moto2 standings with 1 point, and is also the class’s top rookie.

Red Bull KTM Ajo are currently seventh in the Moto2 Team standings with 30.5 points. The structure have had podium finishes at Le Mans in recent years, including victories for Raul Fernandez and Augusto Fernandez (2021 and 2022), a second-place finish for Remy Gardner in 2021, and a third place for Johann Zarco in 2015.

The fifth round of the 2026 MotoGP season kicks off this Friday at 9:50 a.m. (local time) with Free Practice 1. The 22-lap race will take place on Sunday at 12:15 p.m.

Circuit information – Le Mans 
Length: 4.185 m. / 2.600 miles
Width: 13 m. / 42.65 ft.
Left corners: 5
Right corners: 9
Longest straight: 674 m / 0.419 miles
Built: 1966
Modified: 2008

#95 COLLIN VEIJER

“I’m very excited to be getting back on the bike again. We’ve come from a very strong weekend in Jerez, so we will try to do the same again at Le Mans. It could be a completely different round, so let’s see what we can do there. Last year was not so bad until the race itself, so we shall try again. The start of the season has been quite good, so I will try my best to fight for the top positions. As every weekend, the goal is to go step by step, so we’re focused on Friday and the rest will follow.”

#98 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“We’re going to Le Mans, a circuit I have very fond memories of from last year. We’ll have to see how we do there with the Moto2 bike, especially after last week’s surgery. I hope everything goes well and the weather cooperates, although I think it’s going to be difficult given the circumstances. We’ll try to really enjoy the Grand Prix and the French fans, who are some of the best in the entire calendar. Little by little, we’ll try to find our best form, taking the first steps this weekend.”