Michelin is back in France, at Le Mans, for the fifth round of the MotoGP World Championship, the Shark Helmets Grand Prix de France.
Le Mans is one of the most important races of the season for Michelin, and one of the most iconic too. The 4,185 km circuit, with its five left turns and nine right turns, was resurfaced at the end of 2016 and this new asphalt made it possible to sign very fast laps the following year and, in fact, Michelin broke the records for turn and duration. For this circuit that is moderately harsh on the tires, the range of Michelin Power Slicks consists of a soft, a medium and a hard for the front and rear, the rears being asymmetrical with a harder right side due to a greater number of right-hand curves. The hard front has a new rubber added to the allocation at the start of the season, while the rears have been developed with a new compound technology tested in pre-season and integrated into the 2019 range. The circuit is very narrow with slow curves, which requires good stability of the front tire when braking as well as good traction of the rear tire when accelerating. The tire allocation has therefore been specially selected to meet these requirements.
Le Mans is a very popular and lively race with passionate supporters and supporters massed at the edge of the track. A huge crowd is expected at the Bugatti circuit, which is part of the major 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit. Rain can never be ruled out in Sarthe. The Michelin Power Rains are available in soft and medium and as with the slicks, the rears are asymmetrical with a harder right side.
The Michelin tires will take to the track on Friday morning for two free practice sessions that day, then two more will follow the next day. Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The fifth round of the MotoGP World Championship will start on Sunday May 19 at 14:00 p.m. French time for 27 laps of racing.
Piero Taramasso – Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager:
“It’s one of the most important weekends of the season for us. It's our national Grand Prix, many fans come to support us and Michelin is also strongly represented on site. Everyone expects us to perform well, so it is imperative that we put on a good show. We hold several records at Le Mans, it is a reference circuit for us because the asphalt is perfect since the resurfacing. But that doesn't mean that we won't try to progress. We have new tires added to the range after testing at the start of the year and they will undoubtedly allow drivers to improve their performance, as was the case at Jerez recently, and participate in what should be a superb new race ".
photos: MICHELIN
