Michelin's next mission for its return to MotoGPTM will take the tire manufacturer to Italy for the sixth round of the World Championship on the incomparable Mugello circuit.
Located in Tuscany, approximately 35 km from Florence, and surrounded by imposing hills that overlook the track, Mugello is one of the favorite circuits of drivers and fans. This fast and technical circuit is set in a sublime setting, which certainly constitutes a challenge for Michelin tires. Mugello offers a near-perfect combination of fast and slow corners, elevation gain, as well as one of the fastest straights of the MotoGP season that riders will approach at around 350 km/h. This 5,425 km long circuit also includes intense braking zones. It therefore requires good stability of the front tire as well as a well-balanced motorcycle. The rear tire is also very stressed: the center of the tire must offer the best possible traction to get out of slow corners, while the shoulders must provide excellent grip in fast curves like Arrabbiata 1 and 2, Palagio and Casanova- Savelli.
To respond to this demanding circuit, Michelin has worked tirelessly since the last race to offer a range of tires best suited to the specificities of the Italian track. The rear MICHELIN Power Slicks feature the new less rigid construction successfully launched at Le Mans. Offered in soft version (white stripe) and medium (no color), these tires have an asymmetrical design with a reinforced right shoulder to cope with heavy stress on this side. The MICHELIN Power Slick front is available in three versions, soft (white stripe), medium (no color) and hard (yellow stripe). In case of gloomy weather, the MICHELIN Power Rain soft (blue band) and hard (no color) are available, as well as the MICHELIN Power Inter (silver band) designed to operate in changing conditions.
The sixth round of the season begins Friday May 20 with two free practice sessions for Michelin and its MotoGP partners. Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, and will make up the starting grid for the 23-lap race which will start on Sunday, a highly anticipated and colorful event where the drivers will be keen to attack hard until the traditional invasion of the track by the fans after the checkered flag.
Piero Taramasso – Two-wheel manager at Michelin Motorsport:
“Mugello is one of the essential events on the calendar. It is an event which brings together all the ingredients: a demanding route for the drivers, hilly sections, a long straight and blind turns – superb landscapes, an audience of enthusiasts, especially at Poggio Secco – and a exciting race. Add to that some incredible restaurants with great food and local wines, this is the Grand Prix to attend. But we know that the task will not be easy. At Le Mans everything went well, the new rear tire worked well. But Mugello is really different. We need to provide a tire that can withstand heavy braking while at the same time delivering excellent corner grip. We also have to deal with significant temperature changes. It can be cool in the morning while the track temperature can exceed 40°C in the afternoon. We are ready to deal with all eventualities. We have already experienced Mugello in the rain. We have a range of tires adapted to the constraints of Mugello and the needs of the drivers. We hope to enjoy a bit of the famous Italian “Dolce Vita” on Sunday evening. »
