The new MotoGP front tires with 2016 profile but with a stiffer carcass, requested by Iannone and Rossi, then by the Honda drivers and Aleix Espargaro, were sent to Argentina for nothing.
Indeed, during the Safety Commission, the pilots present did not wish to use them, arguing that they did not have the time (see here). Hence theban on using it in Argentina decided by the authorities.
So, Michelin took this advice into account and did not represent this new front tire in Austin. Nicolas Goubert, Deputy Director and Technical Director of Michelin Motorsport, Supervisor of the MotoGP program, told us that it would be the same in Jerez, during the Grand Prix. On the other hand, this new envelope will appear during the test day immediately after the said Spanish Grand Prix as well as during the test day organized on the Le Mans circuit, at the very beginning of May, to appreciate its new coating (see here).
There will then not be just one type of new tire, but several.
Nicolas Goubert : “We will test new solutions. Not just the ones we brought to Argentina. We will also test other variants to try to continue to progress. I would say that this is in line with what we have been doing since we arrived in MotoGP, that is to say that we are continually trying to improve the product.
There will also be new features during the test at Le Mans because each time we have a test with MotoGP, we take the opportunity to test new tires, even if at Le Mans, these tests will be more focused on testing the new coating in order to be able to present an offer adapted to the race. But if we have a little time, we will try to continue to evolve. »
Because of their little comrades present at the Safety Commission, the drivers interested in these new solutions, Iannone and Rossi in the lead, will have to wait until the Monday after Jerez to find out if this more rigid carcass suits them better...
