According to our cross-checked information, the French tire manufacturer Michelin, which supplies the entire MotoGP field, is not offering one, but two extraordinary tests, that is to say outside the official calendar.
Chronologically, the first would not take place in Spain, but in France on the Bugatti circuit, at the beginning of May, just before the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez. Its objective would be to validate the tires in relation to the new surface of the Manceau circuit, of which we revealed to you, exclusively, the much greater grip. Several manufacturers vying for the title have already responded.
The second test should take place following the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, on the Valencia circuit. There it will be about decide if the front rain tires should have their profile modified, as that of slicks has just been. To do this, we will water the Ricardo Tormo circuit with tank trucks. This is a first in the MotoGP era, and again, the day will be open to all teams. Several of them have also already confirmed their participation.
However, if the manufacturers play the game and wish to participate in these two exceptional days, it seems that lhe pilots, having just returned from the American tour following Qatar, have their ears pulled slightly to continue testing at Le Mans, GP in Jerez and testing in Valencia…
The schedule of these tests would therefore be likely to evolve... except that materially, the Grand Prix at Le Mans being planned only two weeks after Jerez, we cannot therefore imagine a test in France much later than the day after Jerez. Indeed, what would be the point of a test if Michelin did not have time to react before the Grand Prix, even if we know the responsiveness of the Clermont-based manufacturer ?
To see, therefore, if this initial schedule is confirmed, or if, for example and simple speculation on our part, the “rain” test is postponed to make way for that of Le Mans…
