Gibernau started from pole

The Spaniard, riding a Honda, pushed compatriot Carlos Checa, on a Yamaha, and Honda rider Max Biaggi of Italy into the minor placings.

Gibernau consolidated his lead in the overall standings.

Britain's former World Superbikes champion Neil Hodgson came off his Ducati on the first lap and suffered two broken ribs.

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Earlier, fellow Spaniard Daniel Pedrosa won the 250cc motorcycling grand prix on a Honda, while Italian Andrea Dovizioso won the 125cc event.

Gibernau, who started from pole position, took the lead on the 12th of 28 laps before racing to his second consecutive victory at Le Mans.

Last year Gibernau pipped Italy's Valentino Rossi on the line in rainy conditions, but this swept to victory in bright sunshine.

Checa had the best start to lead early on but could not keep Gibernau at bay and he was passed by the Barcelona rider on the inside on the 12th lap.

Biaggi and Rossi, who eventually finished fourth, had a battle royal for third spot with both riders making errors but managing to regroup.

Biaggi, with Rossi close behind, even got close to the back wheel of Checa but they were both too preoccupied with their own personal duel to challenge for second spot.

That was eventually claimed by Checa in his best result of the year.

Jeremy McWilliams recovered from a jump start penalty at the beginning of the race to put in a superb late rally to move up to 13th place and take his first points of the season.

French MotoGP result:
1. Sete Gibernau (Spain) Honda 44:22.750
2. Carlos Checa (Spain) Yamaha 44:24.421
3. Max Biaggi (Italy) Honda 44:24.658
4. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 44:27.022
5. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Honda 44:38.505
6. Marco Melandri (Italy) Yamaha 44:40.975
7. Alex Barros (Brazil) Honda 44:50.406
8. Troy Bayliss (Australia) Ducati 44:54.280
9. Makoto Tamada (Japan) Honda 44:55.914
10. Loris Capirossi (Italy) Ducati 45:02.262

250cc grand prix result:
1. Daniel Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 43min 03.338sec
2. Randy de Puniet (Fra) Aprilia 7.711sec behind
3. Toni Elias (SPA) Honda 19.233

125cc grand prix result:
1. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Honda 41min 26.747sec
2. Roberto Locatelli (ITA) Aprilia 0.594sec behind
3. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Derbi 6.680