Michelin MotoGP tiresTM demonstrated impressive performances by breaking several records this weekend and leading Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) to victory in the Octo British Grand Prix at Silverstone, England.
Under a beautiful, hot sun, all the MICHELIN Power Slicks were used in different combinations, soft, medium and hard at the front and rear on this 20-lap race. At the green light, Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) – who was celebrating his 300e start in MotoGP – took the lead against pole sitter Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). The Italian led the next 17 laps as a furious battle unfolded behind him between Marquez, Dovizioso, Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda). The pace was incredible, the lap record was broken several times at the start of the race, before Marquez set the reference time at 10e lap after achieving a superb pole position on Saturday. For the first time, a motorcycle completed the 5,9 km British circuit in less than two minutes, which highlights the grip offered by the Michelin tires on this bumpy track. This performance perhaps has something to console Marquez who was forced to retire in the 14the tour due to a mechanical problem.
At the beginning of 18e lap, Rossi, wearing hard tires at the front and rear, was under threat from Dovizioso, equipped with the same set of tires. The Ducati rider seized the opportunity to take the lead, a position he held until the checkered flag despite pressure from Viñales, wearing a MICHELIN Power Slick hard at the front and soft at the rear. , who had just overtaken Rossi. Dovizioso won his 4e victory of the season and takes the reins of the championship at the end of an event where the Italian and Michelin beat the race duration record by more than six seconds.
Behind Dovizioso, Viñales and Rossi, British fans were able to celebrate the 4e place and the prize for Cal Crutchlow's First Independent Racer. Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) completes the top-five ahead of Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3). Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) crossed the line in 7e position ahead of Scott Redding (OCTO Pramac Racing). Alex Rins (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) obtained his best result of the season with 9e place, while Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) celebrated his 250e Grand Prix by a 10e final place and the best top speed of the weekend.
56 spectators attended this Grand Prix contested in typically British weather with 000°C in the air and more than 25°C on the track, very little wind, perfect conditions to offer an exciting race. Dovizioso is the leader of the championship, but with a third of the season still to go and a top-five grouped in 40 points, the 35 championship is very undecided.
Heading for the Adriatic coast for Michelin and MotoGP for the San Marino and Riviera di Rimini Misano Grand Prix on Sunday September 10, a new episode of this exciting 2017 season.
Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team:
“This race has been weird. I felt like I couldn't push as hard as in practice to manage the tires and finish in good condition. But ultimately the tires were consistent and that was the key for me because I ended up with very good grip. The race was very fast and it was a pleasure to fight with the other guys. The front tire worked very well throughout the race and I felt comfortable. I am very happy with this victory. »
Nicolas Goubert – Deputy Director, Technical Director and MotoGP Program Supervisor, Michelin Motorsport:
“We are obviously very satisfied with our weekend here at Silverstone. It's a long, fast and very bumpy circuit, so the times achieved from the start on Friday were very encouraging. On Saturday, the morning session started in the wet, but the drivers used the slicks which gave them a lot of grip and again the times were excellent. Qualifying confirmed the good behavior of our products and Marc Marquez went under the two-minute mark, the fastest lap ever achieved by a motorcycle here. The performances were also relevant in the race with the best lap and duration records also broken by five drivers! It's an excellent result and it highlights the tire choices we leave to the drivers: the winner was on hard at the rear and the second on soft. Another positive point is the consistency and longevity of our tires. We didn't experience any drop in performance and the drivers pushed very hard until the end. Congratulations to Andrea Dovizioso for her 4e victory of the season. It's still very open for the title and at Michelin we are very happy with the many tire choices we are offering to drivers to make this championship so close and exciting. »
