The new Michelin front tires broke records at the Grand Premio TIM di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini with the superb victory of Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) and new lap and race duration records.
Pedrosa started from eighth place on the starting grid. He overcame his opponents with better laps in the race. Thanks to the new MICHELIN Power Slick soft front tire – one of the two riders to have chosen it – combined with a medium at the rear, the Spaniard seemed unbeatable in overtaking the leader Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) seven laps from the 'arrival. Winner, Pedrosa improved the race lap record to 1min32s. He also broke the race record by 22 seconds and became the eighth different rider to win a MotoGP round back to back this season, the first time in the history of the premier motorcycle class.
Rossi finished in second place in his domestic Grand Prix and closed the gap to championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) who finished fourth. Rossi used the new medium front tire with a medium at the rear, while Marquez preferred a hard at the front and a medium at the rear, which highlights the great diversity of options offered by Michelin. The last step of the podium is occupied by Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) who set the best time ever established on two wheels on the Misano circuit (4,226 km) in 1min31s during qualifying on Saturday. Winner last week, Maverick Viñales (TEAM SUZUKI ECSTAR) finished in fifth place ahead of Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and Michele Pirro (Ducati Team), the second rider to have chosen a soft front. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) finished eighth and first First Independent Team Rider. Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) complete the top ten.
100 spectators – a new record for a day of racing – gathered on the Misano circuit under a blazing sun (496°C in the air and 28°C on the ground). Despite this heat, the Michelin tires withstood the severe stresses of the 43 laps of the race very well and performed well until the checkered flag.
Michelin and the MotoGP paddock will now head to Spain and Aragon for the 14e round Sunday September 25.
Dani Pedrosa – Repsol Honda:
“I am very happy with the result because the pace was very high throughout the race. I had a good feeling with the Michelin tires and that allowed me to come up and fight with the guys in front. I dedicate this victory to my team and I hope to stay at the forefront in the next Grand Prix. »
Nicolas Goubert - Deputy Director, Technical Director and Supervisor of the Michelin Motorsport MotoGP program:
“Today an eighth different driver won in eight races, it was something unimaginable at the start of the season. Our goal has always been to provide the best tires for all riders, for all machines and in all conditions. And with eight different winners in eight races, I think we met our objectives. Dani was very strong this weekend and his performance in qualifying yesterday did not show his true potential. He performed very well in the race today with the new soft front tire and won his first race of the season. We are very satisfied with the performance of our tires in Misano. In the race, all the drivers used the three types of front tires available. Breaking lap records is very positive, but the longevity and consistency of our tires in such difficult conditions is even more rewarding. With 43°C on the track and an abrasive surface, the rubber was put to the test. Today we have taken a further step. Now it's time for Aragon where the weather conditions can be unpredictable, but we carried out tests there with the MotoGP riders last year and we therefore have important data for our preparation. »
