This year, it seems that the choice of tires is even more complex than in previous years. With the arrival of Michelin as sole supplier, the dilemma that is repeated at each event no longer only concerns the front, as in the days of Bridgestone, but also the rear.
Valentino Rossi, like Marc Marquez, chose a Medium rear tire for the race, the hardest tire available at Losail.
Conversely, Jorge Lorenzo and the Ducati had opted for the Soft rear tire, supposed to be a little more efficient but giving more movement to the bike and, above all, whose lifespan no one really knew in the precise conditions of the race.
The Tendre's gamble actually proved to be a winner, since, although deteriorating at the end of the Grand Prix, it paradoxically allowed the best laps to be achieved in the race. In this regard, the déclarations de Lorenzo, Dovizioso et Marquez are instructive and confirm those of Michelin : “The choice of Lorenzo paid off as he constantly improved the fastest lap in the race, before breaking the circuit record – which had been held by Casey Stoner since 2008 – for the first time at 16e lap, one second to the 20e lap in 1'54.543, or 0.226 seconds less than Stoner, thus proving the longevity and consistency of Michelin tires. Lorenzo won after 42'28.542 of racing, more than 7 seconds faster than the 2015 edition.”
Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi were therefore unable to get the better of Dovizioso at the end of the race and, if the Honda driver explains that he in fact had no other possible alternative, the Doctor remains expectant on the ideal choice for this race.
Valentino Rossi: “In the end, it was a great race, the pace was very fast from start to finish, but unfortunately I stayed behind and I didn't have enough speed to try to attack. I was there but I was never in the real fight, I was always a little behind. We need a faster pace and maybe tire choice can make some difference, but we don't know. Maybe with the Soft tire I could have gone faster or I could also have gone slower. We finished behind and unfortunately didn't get on the podium, but it was a good race anyway, with a good start. We are here, we have to work, but for sure we are competitive. Last year in Argentina, I did a great race, one of the best, with good pace, and I came from the back. But this year it will be a different story, especially because of the tires. This year we have to understand our potential there.”
