MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix 2026 schedule and TV channels for France, Digi Mart USA News: Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin continue their title duel this weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix, the 20th round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship. The gap between the two riders widened after the Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend, when Marquez won both the Sprint and the Grand Prix while Martin was forced to withdraw from Saturday’s Free Practice 2 because of a broken right wrist.
Marquez now leads Martin by 44 points. Because of the time difference, French fans will not need to wake up early, as the sessions take place during the day or early evening in France.
Coverage is shared between Canal+ Sport 360 and Canal+ from Friday, November 6, to Sunday, November 8.
Free Practice 1 begins Friday, November 6, from 12:35 p.m., followed by Practice from 4:50 p.m. on Canal+ Sport 360.
Free Practice 2 starts Saturday, November 7, from 11:50 a.m., with Qualifying from 12:35 p.m. The Sprint race starts at 5:00 p.m.
French time for 11 laps, with coverage from 4:26 p.m. on Canal+ Sport 360.
The Warm Up begins Sunday, November 8, from 12:30 p.m. on Canal+ Sport 360.
The main Grand Prix race starts at 5:00 p.m. French time on Sunday, November 8, for 22 laps.
It is broadcast live on Canal+ from 4:57 p.m., with the podium and debrief shown on Canal+ Sport 360 shortly after the finish.
In Friday’s first free practice, Marc Marquez (Ducati) set the fastest time at 1’52.278, ahead of Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46). In the second free practice, Di Giannantonio was fastest in 1’50.406, with Marquez second, 0.142 seconds back, and Bezzecchi third.
Marquez can secure his second world title with Ducati on Sunday, but only if he scores at least 30 points more than Martin and 8 more than Bezzecchi. Martin, who is set to join Yamaha in the future, could still be competitive despite his wrist fracture.
The event will be remembered as an unusual edition. Yamaha and its satellite team Pramac chose not to attend because of tensions in the Middle East following the conflict between the United States and Iran that began in late February.
As a result, Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller and Augusto Fernandez will not be on the grid.
Several other riders are also absent because of injuries. Joan Mir, who returned in Malaysia but retired during the race, will not compete due to an unresolved vision problem and is replaced by Superbike rider Jake Dixon.
Alex Marquez, who finished third in Malaysia, had surgery earlier this week and is replaced by Iker Lecuona, while Fermin Aldeguer returns to Gresini Ducati. Raul Fernandez, who withdrew in Malaysia with a finger fracture, hopes to return in Qatar and may test during Friday’s practice before deciding on the rest of the weekend.
