You may have noticed that we did not distribute the Michelin press release following the Grand Prix in Aragon, contrary to our usual practice.
Indeed, you will make up your own mind by reading it below, but we thought that, for once, it omitted some of the problems encountered in the race, whether by Dani Pedrosa with his front tire, photos of which have been broadcast on the Internet, or even by the Ducati, none of which finished in the Top 10.
We therefore wanted to question Nicolas Goubert (Deputy Director, Technical Director and MotoGP Program Supervisor, Michelin Motorsport) on the subject in order to obtain some answers. This is done, thanks to its great availability and we thank it, and we can now start talking about tires in Aragon…
Michelin press release:
MICHELIN AND MARQUEZ ARE BIG WINNERS AT MOTORLAND
Michelin's first MotoGP™ race at MotorLand Aragón (Spain), the Grand Premio Movistar de Aragón, was exciting and was won by Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team).
The Michelin Power Slicks tire range was used extensively today as drivers opted for different configurations to tackle the 5,077km Spanish circuit. Pole sitter Marc Marquez had chosen a hard front and rear and took the best start at the green light. The championship leader maintained a brief advantage, then several drivers took turns in the lead during a very hectic first lap. Maverick Viñales (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) – also wearing hard tires – was leader at the end of the first loop, a position recovered on the second lap by Marquez, then taken over by Viñales until the eighth lap. The Suzuki rider then left first place to Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) who had chosen a medium at the front and a hard at the rear. Marquez regained control on lap 12 and continued his effort at a breakneck pace – best lap on 15e passage – to increase your lead and cross the finish line with a three-second lead. This fourth victory of the season allows him to widen the gap in the championship.
The 69 fans present at the circuit were treated to an incredible fight for the other two places on the podium between Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and his teammate Rossi. The outgoing champion Lorenzo (medium at the front and hard at the rear) finally had the last word after multiple overtakes at the end of the race. Viñales finished in fourth place ahead of Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda), winner of the Independent Team Rider after a great battle with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), sixth, and Aleix Espargaro (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR), seventh. Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 714) took the final eighth place ahead of local rider Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Stefan Bradl (Aprilia Racing Team) who complete the top-ten.
With cooler air and ground temperatures today, tire choices played a determining role, and thanks to the advice and experience of Michelin technicians, the drivers were able to make the choices they deemed best. This led to different combinations of tires with hard at the front and rear, medium at the front and hard at the rear and even two associated mediums, a perfect illustration of the different options offered by Michelin so that all pilots can find the combinations offering them the best performance for the race.
Heading east now for Michelin with three races which will follow one another, Japan, Australia and Malaysia. The series will begin with the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi on Sunday October 16.
Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team:
“It was a very good race and an important weekend for the tires which worked very well. The grip was excellent, even if the drop in performance was a little more noticeable than on other circuits because of the long curves which place enormous demands on the tires. We found a good set-up for the second part of the race and already worn tires, and the front worked very well. The hard Michelin front tire was certainly the best with these temperatures. I'm satisfied with this weekend because I love this circuit, and maybe even more this year! »
Nicolas Goubert – Deputy Director, Technical Director and MotoGP Program Supervisor, Michelin Motorsport:
“We had a pretty tough weekend in Aragón with morning temperatures much cooler than expected. All the technicians did a great job with their teams and their drivers during the three days to offer precise and reasoned tire choices. The intensity of the race today proves once again that we offer tires suitable for all types of machines, riders and riding styles. Marc took a great victory after setting the fastest lap two-thirds of the way into the race. We are therefore satisfied to see that our tires remain efficient even when worn. We have a lot of positive things to take away from this weekend and we also learned a lot about how these tires work with cool track temperatures in the morning and therefore little grip. This data will allow us to move forward. Now there are three overseas races, each of which offers its own challenges. We are ready and eager…”
Photo credit: Michelin
