After its remarkable performance in Qatar for its return to the highest level of 2-Wheel competition, Michelin is preparing to cross the equator for the second round of the 2016 MotoGPTM World Championship scheduled in Argentina, on the Termas de Rio Circuit Honda.
The Argentinian track is one of the fastest of the season and constitutes a real challenge for the drivers and the tires. With its fast curves – some with pronounced banking – and its violent braking, the 4,806 km circuit will undoubtedly be very demanding for the tires supplied by Michelin. Turn 6 and Turn 11, two long left turns, will cause a lot of heat to the tire. With nine right-hand corners and only five left-handers, wear and tear should be balanced, but it will need to be carefully managed by the riders to get the most out of their machines throughout the race.
Michelin is offering two front tires for the Argentinian event; a hard MICHELIN Power Slick tire identified by a yellow stripe on the sidewall and a medium MICHELIN Power Slick tire (without identification). At the rear, a MICHELIN Power Slick hard tire (yellow sticker) and a medium version will be offered to all drivers. For the first time this season, a rain tire and an intermediate tire will be available, in case the weather is uncertain. The MICHELIN Power Rain soft tire will be identified by a blue stripe (front and rear), the hard version has no marking. The MICHELIN Power Inter tires will be adorned with a silver stripe.
The Circuit Termas de Rio Hondo was built in 2007 and opened the following year. It is one of the rare tracks in the championship where Michelin has never raced. It will therefore be a “discovery” weekend for the French tire manufacturer. MotoGP went there for the first time in 2014 and Honda rider Marc Marquez won. Last year, victory went to Valentino Rossi. Located at the gates of the eponymous city, the Circuit Termas de Rio Hondo is located in the Province of Santiago del Estero, approximately 1100 km from the capital Buenos Aires.
The action will begin on Friday April 1 with two free practice sessions, followed by a third the following morning. Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday afternoon and the race, 25 laps long, will start on Sunday at 16 p.m. local time (00 p.m. French time).
Nicolas Goubert – 2-Wheel Director of Michelin Motorsport : “It's a real challenge for us because this race was not on the calendar when we were in MotoGP and we only had one day of testing on this circuit. Since then, our tires have evolved a lot, so it was difficult to decide which product to design. We will be very attentive all weekend and we will intensively analyze the data. The track promises to be very demanding for the front tire, with a lot of wear. We have prepared robust solutions in order to have a beautiful and competitive race as possible. »
Piero Taramasso – 2-Wheel Manager Michelin Motorsport : “This is the first time that we are going to this Argentinian circuit. This test is very important because South America is a major market for Michelin. There are many fans of 2-Wheel competition, from the Dakar to MotoGP, and I am sure that the atmosphere will be very festive at Termas de Rio Hondo for the Grand Prix. The circuit is close to the Andes and the weather could play a role because at this time it can be either very hot or very cold. This race is also difficult from a logistical point of view, but the trip is worth it; Barbecues are spectacular, it seems! »
The Race Card is download here.
