• The 12th round of the 2023 MotoGP™ World Championship takes place this weekend on the Misano circuit (Italy), well known to the teams and Michelin Motorsport.
• Symmetrical tires at the front and asymmetrical at the rear to respond to the configuration of the track.
The Misano circuit has a long shared history with motorcycling. Its construction began in 1969, and the first races took place there in 1972. It then regularly hosted events in multiple categories until 1993, before beginning a modernization program. For its part, MotoGP has organized an annual Grand Prix there since 2007. This is also the year when the direction of the circuit was reversed. Competitors now take it clockwise.
Last year, new records were set: Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP) set the track record in 1'31.868, and the shortest race duration in the history of the discipline was was recorded in 41'23.199. Data that will of course try to shake up all the MotoGP riders, for whom this circuit is relatively familiar.
« We know Misano well because we ride there with our partners not only in races but also in tests ", noted Piero Taramasso, manager of Michelin's two-wheel competition. “ The route is flat, rather technical, and alternates slow bends and fast curves. It is quite demanding on the front tire, particularly at the Tramonto turns, which constitutes a long hairpin in support, and Curvone, which generates a lot of stress on the tires because it is a right turn which passes very quickly. high speed. We are expecting rather warm weather, as always here in September, but our MICHELIN Power Slick ranges are adapted to these seasonal temperatures. Of course, as we are close to the Adriatic Sea the weather can change and rain can occur. In this case, we will offer our MICHELIN Power Rain range, whose rubbers also demonstrate great versatility and excellent grip on wet surfaces. »
On the Misano circuit, Michelin partners will have at their disposal three notches of rubber (Soft, Medium and Hard) for the front wheel, and two (Soft Drinks et Medium) for the rear. The front tires will be symmetrical, while at the rear they will be asymmetrical, with a reinforced right side. This choice aims to respond to the configuration of the circuit, which has ten right turns and six left turns, for a length of 4,226 km.
The action on the track will begin on Friday September 8 with a first 45-minute free practice session in the morning. Then a second, this time lasting one hour and qualifying for the next day, will take place in the afternoon. It will allow the 10 fastest drivers to move directly into Q2. The format of Saturday and Sunday does not change, with a free practice session on Saturday morning, the two qualifying sessions Q1 and Q2, the Sprint Race on Saturday afternoon and the Grand Prix on Sunday.
