HEADING TO SOUTH AMERICA AND THE ARGENTINE CHALLENGE FOR MICHELIN
A long journey across the equator awaits Michelin, heading to Argentina and Termas de Rio Hondo for the second round of the MotoGP World ChampionshipTM 2018, the Gran Premio Motul de la Republica Argentina.
The South American circuit is a real challenge for drivers, teams, machines and especially tires because of the high temperatures and the abrasiveness of the surface. It is one of the most demanding circuits of the year. And even more so this season because several portions of the 4,806 km long route have been re-surfaced. Michelin and its partner teams have no data on the type of surface and the differences with the old coating. Due to this re-surfacing, the MICHELIN Power Slicks tire allocation is somewhat different from the usual three front and three rear as a fourth option is offered. There will therefore be one soft, two medium and one hard for the front and rear. The two front mediums have different rubbers, while the two rear mediums have different constructions. Most tires feature a symmetrical design, except the rear hard which has a harder right side. Michelin thus allows its drivers to have as many choices as possible in order to optimize everyone's performance on the Termas circuit.
With nine right turns and five left turns, a mix of fast curves, violent braking zones and a straight line of more than a kilometer, this circuit is one of the fastest of the season. Termas de Rio Hondo has delivered some exciting races since its arrival in MotoGP in 2014. The geographical location of this circuit, around 1100 km from Buenos Aires, is also quite a logistical headache. It's a long journey that awaits the MotoGP paddock to the province of Santiago del Estero, at the foot of the Andes, and the spa town of Termas de Rio Hondo. The weather is also very versatile in this region: it can be extremely hot and humid, or violent thunderstorms can break out at any time. In case of rain, MICHELIN Power Rain tires are available in soft and medium for the front and rear, with the two rear having an asymmetrical design with a harder right side.
The second round of the 2018 MotoGP championship will begin on Friday April 6 with two free practice sessions. Two others are scheduled for Saturday before qualifying which will determine the starting grid for this 25-lap race, which will start on Sunday April 8 at 15:00 p.m. local time (20:00 p.m. French time).
Piero Taramasso – Two-wheel Manager, Michelin Motorsport:
“Termas de Rio Hondo is a circuit that has given us many challenges over the last two years. It can be very hot and the track is very abrasive, then it can rain and temperatures drop quickly. You have to be prepared for any eventuality. This year, an unknown factor was added, that of the resurfacing of the track. We therefore arrive with very few elements, even if we were able to glean some information, but it's not like working from race data or tests on a new surface. This is why when Dorna asked us to set the tire allocation at the start of the year, we planned a fourth option of front and rear slick tires for Argentina in order to give the drivers every chance of finding the right tires. best tire combinations for this circuit depending on their riding and their bike. We believe that with the experience accumulated since our return to MotoGP we have the tires best suited to the Termas circuit and we hope to see excellent times this weekend. »
Argentina Tire Range
MICHELIN Power Slick
Front
Soft (White band) – Symmetric
2 x Medium (No band) – Symmetric
Hard (Yellow band) – Symmetric
Rear
Soft (White band) – Symmetric
2 x Medium (No band) – Symmetric
Hard (Yellow band) – Asymmetric, right side harder
MICHELIN Power Rain
Front
Soft (Blue band) – Symmetric
Medium (No band) – Symmetric
Rear
Soft (Blue band) – Asymmetric, right side harder
Medium (No band) – Asymmetric, right side harder
