Michelin slick and wet tires were the stars of MotoGP™ in Brno today which saw outgoing World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) win the Monster Energy Grand Prix České Republiky in changeable weather.
The 22-lap race was declared “wet” and all drivers were shod with MICHELIN Power Rain tires on the starting grid. Marquez, the pole sitter, was the only one to have opted for the soft rubber at the rear, combined with a medium at the front. Leader at the first corner, he was quickly overtaken by Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) who completed the first lap in the lead. But the sun's rays were already warming and drying the track. Marquez was the first to enter the pits to mount a machine equipped with MICHELIN Power Slicks. Thanks to his medium at the front and rear, he quickly progressed within the peloton to regain the lead at 6e round. He continued his effort to gain a 20-second lead while his competitors took their turn in the pits to change mounts. Marquez controlled the race to win and increase his championship lead.
All the riders having started on rain tires and having had to pit to change bikes, the race took a long time to settle. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) also moved back into the peloton – he had joined the track in 8e position – to take 2e place. The attack of Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) was rewarded with a 3e place. The Spaniard was 13e after his pit stop. He set the fastest lap in the race in 17e tour, under the eyes of 87 fans present around the circuit. Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) was one of the last to change bikes. Thanks to impressive overtaking maneuvers, he climbed from 541e the 4e final place.
After the bike changes authorized by the "flag-to-flag" regulations, the most used Michelin slick tires were the medium at the front and rear. Some opted for soft at the front and rear, while others opted for medium at the front and soft at the rear. All competitors, teams and manufacturers have numerous choices of tires.
Cal Crutchlow took 5e place and won the First Independent Rider award. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) finishes in 6the place ahead of Danilo Petrucci (OCTO Pramac Racing). Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) finished in 8e rank, a result which could have been better without a three-place penalty received after a start deemed dangerous during the bike change. Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) finished 9e, the best result of the season for KTM. Five different manufacturers appear in the top-9. Jonas Folger (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) closes the top-ten.
Three Spanish riders monopolized the final podium, a fitting tribute to one of the greatest Spanish MotoGP champions, Ángel Nieto, who passed away this week following a quad accident. This morning, the paddock gathered to pay tribute to the 12+1 World Champion who had obtained numerous titles with Michelin.
Michelin remains in Brno for a day of testing on this 5,403 km circuit, before packing its bags for Austria, Spielberg, for the 11e round of the championship next Sunday.
Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team:
“The race was very difficult today, especially with the flag-to-flag. It was very complicated for all the drivers to choose the tires. I made a mistake by opting for the soft wet at the back. It was too soft for the conditions, so I had to return quickly to change bikes. I then found a good rhythm with the slicks. I was very confident all weekend with the wet tires and the slicks and it made the difference in the race. When I saw that my lead was sufficient, I controlled while staying at a good pace. I'm happy because Michelin gave us a lot of stability which is essential for us. I am very satisfied with the work accomplished. »
Piero Taramasso – Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager:
“The weather complicated things today. There were so many changes to the wet tire choices on the grid, and then the track started to dry and we were all surprised by how early the bike changes were. The wet tires worked well at the very start of the race, like during free practice on Friday where we had very good times. So we were quite confident for the race. Marc made the decision to change bikes very quickly and it paid off for him because he then set the fastest laps on a drying track. We are satisfied with it because it proves the level of grip on a track that is cold and wet in places. The performances of the other drivers with different tires are also worth highlighting and, Maverick's best lap at 17e tour proves the longevity and consistency of the tires. We now have a day of testing here in Brno before heading to Austria where the challenge will be completely different. But we are ready. »
“On behalf of Michelin, I would like to send my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ángel Nieto. He was a great champion with Michelin and he will be greatly missed in the MotoGP paddock. »
