• In difficult weather conditions, Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) wins a second consecutive Grand Prix
• Eric Granado (One Energy Racing) wins in MotoE
• Álex Márquez (LCR Honda Castrol) sets a new circuit speed record with 322,7 km/h in FP2
Jack Miller took advantage of his MICHELIN Power Slick and Rain tires to win the 5e round of the MotoGP World Championship™ 2021, the SHARK French Grand Prix – at Le Mans – marked by rain. The second and third steps of the podium are respectively occupied by Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
In FIM Enel MotoE™World Cup the second round of the championship took place on a dry track. It was won by Eric Granado ahead of Alessandro Zaccone (Octo Pramac MotoE) and Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadracorse). All riders opted for MICHELIN Power Slicks MotoE tires.
Changing weather conditions and relatively cool temperatures throughout the weekend at the Bugatti Circuit gave the MotoGP and MotoE teams a tough time and complicated bike setups and tire choices for the riders.
All the riders had chosen the MICHELIN Power Slick Soft front and Soft rear for the start of the MotoGP given on a dry track.
Then, after a nice downpour at the very start of the race, the riders changed bikes to finish the event equipped with MICHELIN Power Rain Soft or Medium tires which demonstrated their longevity by stringing together laps on a track dried out by the sun. The versatility of the tires is underlined by different wet tire combinations chosen by the top three – Miller (Medium/Soft), Zarco (Medium/Medium) and Quartararo (Soft/Medium).
On Friday, during an FP1 which took place in wet conditions and a temperature of 10°C, the MotoGP riders used MICHELIN Power Rain 2021 tires for the first time. Later in the day, on a track now dry and at 19°C, the drivers had the opportunity to test the MICHELIN Power Slicks Soft tires: a valuable opportunity before the further deterioration of the weather forecast for Saturday.
Despite difficult conditions, Alex Marquez broke the circuit speed record with 322,7 km/h on Friday afternoon, a speed level equaled by Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) in Q2 on Saturday.
On Saturday, an alternation of showers and sunny spells forced the drivers to use a mix of MICHELIN Power Slick and Power Rain. The Slicks were there for qualifying in Q2 on an almost dry track. It was Fabio Quartararo who took pole position with a front Soft and a rear Soft.
In E-Pole, Eric Granado (One Energy Racing) took pole position with MICHELIN Power Rain Softs.
Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager: “ Compared to previous races this season, this is the first time that wet tires have been used so extensively and we are very pleased with the high level of grip and consistency they have demonstrated, both in MotoGP and MotoE . Le Mans has always been unpredictable in terms of weather and we still experienced all four seasons during this spectacular race, but our 2021 range of Slicks and Rain tires performed very well whatever the conditions. »
