IT was not the result he was looking for, but Fabio Quartararo was nevertheless pleased to end his home GP upright and still in contention for the title chase.
The Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) rider rode a conservative race in the wet at the French Motorcycle Grand Prix, crossing the line ninth to increase his lead atop the MotoGP standings.
Quartararo, who before Sunday had never raced in wet conditions since moving up to the premier class last year, said ninth was the best he could manage under the circumstances.
Teammate Franco Morbidelli crashed in the 19th lap before retiring due to mechanical issues.
"We were all on the grid about to start the race before it started raining, which was disappointing," said Quartararo, who started from pole position.
"We knew dry conditions would have been better for us. It was a hard race, but I am happy because we never gave up fighting.
"On the last lap when Joan Mir overtook me, I was able to get straight back past him.
"It was important to score as many points as possible.
"We have gained some important data from this wet race and will use it to see how we can be faster when it rains in future races.
"This will be important as we are coming towards the end of the year, and I expect there will be more wet races."
Quartararo is now on 115 points, 10 more than second-placed Mir (Suzuki Ecstar) while Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso is third on 97.
Quartararo held an eight-point advantage over Mir going into Le Mans. Mir had crossed the line 11th on Sunday.
Morbidelli is sixth in the standings with 77 points.
SRT team principal Datuk Razlan Razali said Quartararo was right to back off the pace.
"That (weather) was unexpected, and it was more about damage control for Quartararo," said Razlan.
"He is still leading the championship and has even increased his lead to ten points. It was the best we could do in tricky conditions.
"When it is like this, I think the best thing the riders can do is to stay on the bike and do the best they can."
Danilo Petrucci snatched a first-ever Ducati win at Le Mans on Sunday with Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda) and Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) coming in second and third.
The world championships will head back to Spain for the Aragon Motorcycle Grand Prix this weekend.