MICHELIN TRIUMPHS HEAT, DOVIZIOSO BRILLIANT WINNER
Michelin had to face very high track temperatures all weekend (even if they had dropped a little for the race) in Brno during the 10th round of the MotoGPTM World Championship, the Monster Energy Grand Prix České Republiky, won by Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) brilliant winner.
The thermometer showed more than 50°C on the ground – the highest temperatures recorded on the Brno circuit since the turn of the century – and the MICHELIN Power Slicks tires had to cope with extreme heat as well as all the constraints of this technical and demanding circuit . With these downhill sections and heavy braking, and these violent re-acceleration zones, the drivers and teams had to work intensely with Michelin technicians to get the best performance from their machines in preparation for the race.
But the temperatures had dropped a little today, with the thermometer only showing 38°C. This change forced the teams to modify their plans and tire choices as the start time approached. Finally, medium and hard front and soft and hard rear were chosen by the 25 drivers lined up on the starting grid for 21 crazy laps.
Dovizioso started from pole, but was overtaken at the first corner by Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), before regaining the lead before the end of the first lap. The start of the race was relatively calm, with no driver wanting to reveal themselves too much, everyone preferring to preserve their tires for this long race. Then the times started to drop and a fight ensued at the front. Dovizioso and Rossi were joined by Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda), Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) and Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team). These five drivers exchanged first place several times thanks to superb overtaking made possible by high-performance tires even when pushed to their limits. The last part of the race offered a magnificent spectacle to the 84 fans present around the circuit and to the millions in front of their TV. Dovizioso, Lorenzo and Marquez battled for the podium until the checkered flag fell first on Dovizioso, then Lorenzo and Marquez. This trio set the three best times on the final lap, demonstrating the longevity of MICHELIN Power Slicks tires on such a demanding circuit. Rossi took 678e place ahead of Crutchlow, 5e and winner of the First Independent Rider. Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) finished in 6the place ahead of Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3). Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) took 8e place ahead of Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team) who competed in his 150e MotoGP Grand Prix and Alex Rins (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) who closes the top-ten.
Michelin remains in Brno for an official test day before making the short trip to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg (Austria) for the 11e round of the championship scheduled for next Sunday.
Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team:
“The front tire worked very well and I am very happy with its performance, especially on this very bumpy and difficult track. We were quite focused on the rear tire because on our bike, we always try to preserve the rear tires for the end of the race. Overall this weekend went very well and we had an advantage in acceleration with our machine, so we were able to fight until the end. We always try to adapt the bike to the tires to get the best out of everything and that's what we will continue to do. »
Piero Taramasso – Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager:
“It was a very complicated weekend for us. We did not anticipate such extreme temperatures. Thanks to our experience gained in MotoGP, the working windows of our tires have been widened and all compounds could have been an option for the race today. The longevity of the tires was a determining factor, we knew that our products could perform well over the 21 laps whatever the conditions. This was demonstrated by the best times of Jorge, Marc and Andrea on their last lap. It was a very positive weekend for Michelin ahead of a test session here in Brno where we have a new tire to evaluate before heading to Austria and another challenge offered by this unique track. »
