A MAGNIFICENT RACE ON MICHELIN LANDS
Michelin took part in an absolutely thrilling MotoGP™ race today at Le Mans. Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) won the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France ahead of local hero Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech3) whose first podium delighted the French fans.
Pole sitter Viñales took the best start, but was immediately overtaken by Zarco to the cheers of the fans gathered around the Bugatti circuit. Equipped with MICHELIN Power Slicks soft tires at the front and rear, Zarco opened up a small gap on its rivals. But Viñales never gave up and began to get back on the Frenchman before regaining the lead in the 7the round. Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) had joined the leaders and also got the better of Zarco to take 2e place behind his teammate.
Rossi then went on the attack and overtook Viñales in the 26the lap, but the Spaniard regained his possession, pushing Rossi into an unusual mistake on the last lap. Viñales won and offered a 500e victory for Yamaha in the Grand Prix. He returns to the lead in the Drivers' championship. Zarco took advantage of Rossi's fall to recover 2e final place, his best result in MotoGP, and winning the First Independent Team Rider award. He is the first French rider on a MotoGP podium since 2009 and the first in the top three at the French Grand Prix since 1988! The 3e place returned to Pedrosa, after coming up from the 13e place on the starting grid. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) ranked 4e after an incredible fight with Crutchlow and Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) respectively 5e and 6e. Jonas Folger (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) took 7e place ahead of Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS). Loris Baz (Reale Avintia Racing), another French driver, finished 9e ahead of Andrea Iannone (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) who closes the top-ten.
Viñales, Rossi and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) all three broke the lap record, once again demonstrating the performance of the different Michelin compounds available to the drivers. Viñales and Rossi were equipped with medium front and rear, while Pedrosa preferred a medium front and a soft rear, as did Zarco. Cal Crutchlow opted for a hard at the front and a medium at the rear. Five of six different gum choices were used.
Another remarkable performance for Michelin this weekend: at 12e lap, Viñales broke the lap record, followed by Rossi and Pedrosa. These three drivers improved the record eight times! Viñales finally set the best lap in 1min32 on the very last lap and finished the race in 309min43, another record broken by 29 seconds!
Some 104 spectators attended this 000-lap Grand Prix contested in summer weather, in contrast to the cool and rainy weather which accompanied the first two days of racing. The competitors therefore had little time to find the right settings for the dry. This once again demonstrates the consistency of the Michelin slick tires on this re-surfaced Le Mans circuit which allowed the drivers to engage in epic battles.
Unfortunately, the weekend was tarnished by the terrible news that spread in the paddock on Thursday regarding former Michelin MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden. The American was cycling near the Misano circuit in Italy when he was hit by a car. Very seriously affected, he is in intensive care at the Bufallini hospital in Cesena and his vital prognosis remains in jeopardy. The entire Michelin team wishes Nicky and his family the best.
Michelin and the MotoGP paddock are now heading to the difficult Mugello circuit in Italy for the 6e round of the championship Sunday June 4.
Maverick Viñales – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP:
“I felt good today, after two races where I wasn't at my best. The bike was great and we did a good job in warm-up. The tires worked well all weekend and we did a good job with Pascal and Michelin. We broke the lap and race records, which is perfect. It was a very beautiful day today! »
Nicolas Goubert – Deputy Director, Technical Director and MotoGP Program Supervisor, Michelin Motorsport:
“First of all, on behalf of Michelin, I would like to wish Nicky Hayden and his family the best. I hope he fully recovers from his injuries. Nicky is an exemplary sportsman and a great and beautiful person off the track. He was the last World Champion with Michelin before the move to single-make MotoGP and he holds a special place in our hearts at Michelin. We wish him a good recovery. »
“This weekend was made difficult by the rain and the cold during the first two days. The teams had little time to prepare for the race and gather information and feedback from the drivers. That being said, we set impressive times in the rain and collected important data in the wet and in dry conditions. With the very limited time available to the drivers before the race, we did not expect such a lively event. Once again, pilots opted for different choices, thanks to a particularly wide product offering. The new coating gave interesting grip during tests at the start of the month, and this was also the case for the race. The tires performed well and we saw the records fall one after the other. The best time was achieved at the end of the event, which underlines the longevity of our products. The new lap record is impressive, but so is the total race time record. The race was exciting and until the end, it was very difficult to find the name of the winner. It was a great show for the fans. Congratulations to Maverick for this victory and congratulations also to Johann for making France shine! »
