MICHELIN STARTS THE LAST THREE RACES WITH TWO EVENTS IN VALENCE BEFORE THE FINAL IN PORTIMTO
Michelin is back in Spain, in Valencia, for the end of the 2020 MotoGP™ season with a double confrontation, the Gran Premio de Europa followed by the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana a week later.
Valencia traditionally hosts the MotoGP championship finale, but this year the final round will be held at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve circuit in Portimão, Portugal. But before that, Michelin and the MotoGP paddock must compete in two events on the difficult Ricardo Tormo Circuit. It is the only track entirely contained within an arena with the stands encircling the nine left and five right turns. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 health crisis, fans will not be allowed inside the circuit where the atmosphere is usually so warm for the Valencia Grand Prix.
The winding and narrow, anti-clockwise and 4,005 km long route requires a range of fully asymmetrical MICHELIN Power Slicks tires to cope with the cold conditions at this time of year. The rubbers – available in soft, medium and hard for the front and rear – have been specially selected for these weather constraints and the configuration of the circuit. The asymmetrical design features harder rubber on the left side due to the greater number of turns in that direction and the additional stress caused on the left by the circuit. The right shoulder has a rubber specially designed for rapid start-up.
Rain has often been a factor in recent years in Valencia and with two races in November, this possibility is even greater this year. Michelin offers MICHELIN Power Rain tires which provide maximum grip to drivers in the event of precipitation. They will be available in soft and medium symmetrical for the front, soft and medium asymmetrical for the rear with a harder left side. The tire allocations are identical for both events.
Michelin and the MotoGP riders will take to the track on Friday for two free practice sessions. Two others are scheduled for Saturday before qualifying which will decide the starting grid for these races of 27 laps each. The Gran Premio de Europa and the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana will follow the same schedule with the start of the first race scheduled for Sunday, November 8 at 14:00 p.m. and that of the second on Sunday, November 15 at 14:00 p.m. as well.
Piero Taramasso – Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager:
« This very special season was also complicated by difficult weather conditions in certain races. We arrive in Valencia on familiar ground because we usually go there at this time of year. We anticipated the cold mornings and the specific route with its tight curves and short straights. This is one of the few tracks that requires asymmetrical slick tires front and rear. In fact, it's the only one this year after the cancellation of the Sachsenring and Phillip Island. The tires spend a lot of time on the left shoulder and never “rest”, while the right side, rarely used, must heat up very quickly. We must therefore find the right compromise of tires to satisfy the drivers, without forgetting the weather constraints and the characteristics of the track. These two weekends will be very demanding, but thanks to our experience, we know what to expect, rain, shine or cold. »
