Michelin participated in Ducati's first victory at the Italian MotoGP™ Grand Prix with Andrea Dovizioso, brilliant winner of the Gran Premio d'Italia Oakley in front of the fans on the Mugello circuit.
Party of 3e place on the grid, Dovizioso (Ducati Team) very quickly found himself mixed with the leaders, while the national hero, Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), who had made the best start, dominated the first three laps. Rossi was then overtaken by his pole-sitter teammate Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) who held the lead until the 14the tower where Dovizioso carried out a decisive and definitive attack. The Italian crossed the finish line in the lead after 23 very intense laps, a victory all the more impressive as the Ducati rider, ill, had to withdraw from the morning Warm-up. Behind Dovizioso, Viñales took 2e place and increase his lead in the championship. Another Italian driver, Danilo Petrucci (OCTO Pramac Racing) signs his 1er MotoGP podium in the dry and won the First Independent Rider award.
This Italian Grand Prix once again highlighted the longevity of the MICHELIN Power slick tires, each of the three front and rear rubber versions of which were used in the race. The three riders on the podium used different tire combinations: Dovizioso had a medium front and rear, Viñales opted for a hard front and rear and Petrucci chose a hard front. and a medium behind. This highlights the different options available to drivers and manufacturers, and is the first time this season that all six versions of slick tires have been used in the race. The longevity and performance of the MICHELIN Power slicks made it possible to establish a new race duration record, 41min32s126, almost 4,5 seconds less than the previous benchmark itself set in Michelin last year. Three victorious marks in four races and a 4e different winner prove that Michelin tires adapt perfectly to all machines.
The different fights in the top ten were splendid with Rossi finishing in 4the place in front of its fans and stands colored yellow. Rossi produced a superb performance after an accident which threatened his participation this weekend. Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Ducati) took 5e place after an incredible duel with the outgoing World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). Johan Zarco finished 7e (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) ahead of Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) and Michele Pirro (Ducati Team). Andrea Iannone (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) completes the top ten of this Grand Prix.
The race took place under cloudy skies and cooler temperatures than during the first two days of testing. Some 98 spectators gathered around the Mugello circuit. Moto000 racesTM and Moto3TM were also won by Italian drivers.
The MotoGP Circus will head to Spain and the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit for the 7th round of the championship next week.
Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team:
“It’s a very special feeling to win today in front of my fans and on a Ducati. I felt very confident with the tires. The rear did not lose its efficiency and was consistent from start to finish. The front is less easy to manage here, but we are satisfied because we had done important tests with Michelin here before the race and that helped us to be perfect today. »
Nicolas Goubert – Deputy Director, Technical Director and MotoGP Program Supervisor, Michelin Motorsport:
“We had a very positive weekend here at Mugello. The stiffer construction of the front tires worked very well and the drivers adapted very well to achieve very good times in practice. Our vast range has once again allowed for different choices adapted to their riding and motorcycle style. We're always trying to improve, so when we break a second race duration record in a row, it's a great reward for the whole team. The atmosphere was special here today and we were happy to be there. We hope that this will continue this season and that the races will be as competitive. Heading for Spain now and another important test. We did some testing there recently so we know what to expect and we have the right tires. We will also have other tests after the race on this same track to collect new information. »
