Michelin witnessed the victory of a fourth new rider in six MotoGP™ races at the Gran Premio Lenovo di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini won by Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT), leader from start to finish on the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.
The recently resurfaced 4,226 km circuit was a new challenge for the MICHELIN Power Slicks, a challenge that they brilliantly met by completing very fast laps in the first session. The tires were perfectly matched to the new asphalt to give drivers the confidence to attack at the limits. Qualifying was a perfect illustration of this with the pole position of Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) accompanied by a new lap record of 1min31.
For the 27-lap race, five of the seven tires available were on track, only the soft front and the hard asymmetric front – added to the package alongside the soft, medium and hard front symmetrical according to the regulations which stipulate that four tires can be offered on a new surface – had not been accepted. Viñales started from pole but Morbidelli made the best start to lead into the first corner. From then on, he controlled the race to take his first Grand Prix victory and win at First Independent Rider. Morbidelli is the fourth new winner this season, equaling the modern era record set in 2016 for Michelin's return to MotoGP. Morbidelli broke the race duration record, more than three seconds less than the previous one and almost twenty-three seconds less than last season on a worn surface.
When the lights went out marking the start of the race, the atmosphere was different as the fans were back in the stands for the first time this season. 10 people were allowed each day, which contrasted with empty seats in recent races due to restrictions due to the global pandemic. Spectators and millions of viewers and Internet users were treated to a great spectacle with different tactics, impressive overtaking and epic battles throughout the race. Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) was back on the bike after breaking his leg last month and qualified in sixth position. Thanks to multiple overtakes at high speed – he set the fastest lap in the race and beat the maximum speed in the race – and the grip of his Michelin tires, he took second place in the final, signing his first podium in MotoGP. Behind him, Joan Mir (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) finished third. Three brands were present on the podium. This top three had chosen different configurations of MICHELIN Power Slicks: Morbidelli had opted for a hard at the front and a medium at the rear, Bagnaia had chosen a hard at the front and a soft at the rear and Mir had associated a front and a rear in medium.
Local hero Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) crossed the line in fourth position after battling for the podium throughout the race. Alex Rins (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) finished fifth ahead of Viñales. Seventh place went to Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), a result which allows him to take the reins of the championship. Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) finished eighth, ahead of Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda) and Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) who completed the top ten.
Michelin remains in Misano, first for a day of testing on Tuesday with the entire MotoGP field, then for the Grand Premio TISSOT dell'Emilia Romagna e della Riviera di Rimini with one MotoGP race and two MotoE. A busy weekend ahead with more spectators allowed at the trackside.
All records broken with the latest evolution of Michelin MotoE tiresTM
For Michelin, the day of competition began with the third round of the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup, the first event in a series of three consecutive over two weekends in Misano.
Matteo Ferrari (TRENTINO Gresini MotoE) signed the EPole on Saturday with a new MotoE lap record, but he started from fourth place on the grid due to a penalty received during the last race. Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SCI58 Squadracorse) was therefore at the head of the peloton.
All the riders were at the start of this seven-lap race on their Energica Ego Corsa shod with the latest version of the MICHELIN Slick MotoE launched this season, which incorporates new rubbers and a new construction of the rear tire, without forgetting bio-materials and regenerated materials which make them both more efficient and less impactful for the environment. On each race, only one specification is available, it is a soft rear and a medium front, both being symmetrical. The performance of these new tires was there with new racing records. Casadei led at the first corner and for the first four laps before coming under pressure from Ferrari. Ferrari took the lead on lap five and pushed their MICHELIN Slick MotoEs to make the break. He maintained his lead to take his first victory in 2020. The other two places on the podium were hotly contested. Xavier Siméon (LCR E-Team) took second place ahead of the pugnacious Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) who consolidated his lead in the championship. He also set a new lap record in the race. The race duration record was also beaten by Michelin and Ferrari by almost a second. Maria Herrera (Openbank Aspar Team) broke the maximum speed record. MotoE will be back in action at Misano next weekend for a double event: a race on Saturday and another on Sunday. Michelin will aim to break new records.
Franco Morbidelli – Petronas Yamaha SRT:
« The race was perfect. I got off to a good start and continued at a great pace. At the start, I had pressure from Valentino (Rossi) then I saw that I was able to get ahead. The tires worked perfectly, I was comfortable throughout the race. Thanks to my team, Michelin, the fans and everyone who helped me. This first victory is wonderful, it's an incredible feeling that I will carry for the next 48 hours before refocusing for next weekend. The three tires front and rear were an option for the race, Michelin did a good job. All tires are good, but they all have a different “scent”. Great work Michelin, well done! »
Matteo Ferrari – TRENTINO Gresini MotoE:
« We worked hard this weekend to understand the tire a little better, which worked very well compared to last year. He's a little different. We understood it better after Jerez and we improved the times a lot this weekend compared to last year: 6 tenths is a nice improvement. I am very happy with this victory and I will do my best to win the two races coming next week. »
Piero Taramasso – Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager:
« It was a successful weekend for us in Misano both in MotoGP and MotoE. The tires performed well and were well suited to this new surface, despite the little information we had when making tire choices before the season. This is the first time this year that track conditions and weather have allowed all six MotoGP tire specifications to be selected for the race. Ultimately, five were chosen and three different configurations ended up on the podium. Breaking records is not our only reason for being in MotoGP, but it is gratifying to have improved the lap records in both categories. Beating both race duration records is also very positive because it demonstrates the full performance of the tires that can be transferred from the track to the road. »
« The race was exciting and it was particularly good to see the public in the stands. It's a small victory over the pandemic, but it's very important for MotoGP. We hope that Michelin contributed to the spectacle offered to the fans. Congratulations to Franco Morbidelli for his first victory, which gives us a fourth new winner this season. And given the performances of other drivers, we are not going to stop there. »
« The MotoE race was also interesting and the tires demonstrated the full potential of the new materials, rubbers and rear construction launched this season. The race was intense and we broke all the records, we can be proud of that. »
« We remain in Misano for testing on Tuesday where I'm sure different tire configurations will be tested by the riders to see what can be improved and optimized for their respective machines ahead of next weekend's race at this same circuit. »
