Michelin contributed to Maverick Viñales' victory in the first round of the 2017 MotoGP World Championship, the Qatar Grand Prix, at Losail.
Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) made his debut for his new team and, despite the weather which did everything to spoil the event, the young Spaniard won a delayed but thrilling race. The starting grid was given by the accumulation of times achieved during the first three practice sessions, after Saturday's day was completely canceled - including qualifying - due to torrential rain on Friday which made the circuit impassable.
This unusual climate in the Gulf country also almost spoiled the race on Sunday evening, the rain having reappeared just as the motorcycles were setting up on the grid. The start was delayed and the race reduced to 20 laps. At the green light, Andrea Iannone (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) jumped from second place to overtake pole sitter Maverick Viñales on Turn 1. During the first lap, reigning Moto2 champion Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) took the lead until the 7th lap where, off the line and in the dirty part of the circuit, the rookie was unable to avoid the fall. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) then found himself leading and attacked hard to widen the gap, but he was chased by Viñales and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP). The duel for victory was then magnificent between Viñales and Dovizioso who exchanged first place several times. Viñales finally took the lead at the end of the race thanks to his MICHELIN Power Slick medium rear tire. The Italian finished in 2nd place ahead of Rossi.
Michelin offered new front tires this weekend at Losail, designed to offer more corner grip. They were associated with a new MICHELIN Power Slick rear tire offering better handling and traction. Drivers had the choice between three types of tires front and rear, which led to different tires: four of the six specifications were used in the race.
Behind the leading trio, 2016 World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) took 4th place ahead of his teammate Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team). Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) finished 6th and won the First Independent Team Rider award, ahead of Scott Redding (OCTO Pramac Racing) and Jack Miller (EG O,O Marc VDS) in 7th and 8th respectively. Alex Rins –Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) finished in 9th place for his MotoGP debut ahead of Jonas Folger (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), also a debutant in the premier category.
Heading to Argentina now for Michelin for the 2nd round of the championship on the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit, Sunday April 9.
Maverick Viñales – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP:
“The Michelin tires worked very well all weekend and I had chosen the right compounds for the race. The tires have evolved a lot compared to last year and I feel confident with them. I hope to continue like this this season, the bike suits me perfectly. I feel good with the Michelin tires, we still have a lot of work to do, but I am very happy with what has already been achieved. »
Piero Taramasso – Two-wheel Manager, Michelin Motorsport:
“It was a very busy weekend here in Qatar, after a whole day lost and the start of the race turned upside down. I am very happy that it was finally able to take place without interruptions. Our new tires worked very well here, despite the conditions. On the first day, Maverick was 0s off the lap record and I'm sure that if the weather had been better, the times could have fallen. We sent six tire specifications, five were run in practice and four during the race. This proves that we offer drivers a wide choice from which they can make their own selection. The race was exciting and I am happy to see that the rookies like Zarco, Folger and Rins were able to adapt so quickly to our tires and that they had full confidence to attack. Now for Argentina. We are of course ready for this challenge. »
