After a one week break since the inaugural Thai GP, Michelin continue their Asian-Pacific tour with the Motul Grand Prix of Japan next on the agenda for the Official MotoGP™ Class Tyre.
The Twin Ring Motegi has been on the calendar since 1999 and this will be the 20th consecutive year the 4.801km venue has hosted a motorcycle Grand Prix. The circuit is technical with numerous hard braking zones across its six left and eight right-hand corners, but what allocation are Michelin providing the MotoGP™ riders with this weekend?
Well, Michelin’s Power Slicks will be available in soft, medium and hard compounds, with the front tyre being symmetrical in design. On the rear, soft, medium and hard is repeated but unlike the front, these tyres will be asymmetrical – the right-hand side of the tyre having a harder rubber to cope with the demands of the circuit.
However, with the threat of rain highly likely at this time of year in Japan, Michelin’s Power Rain tyres could well get another good workout – just like they did in 2017. Soft and medium compounds will be available to the riders on both the front and rear, the front will be symmetrical, with the rear featuring a harder right-hand shoulder to give them an asymmetrical design.
Piero Taramasso – Michelin Two-Wheel Motorsport Manager: “Japan signals the start of the three week back-to-back tour and after being in Thailand just one week ago, this is certainly a very busy part of the season. Motegi is a circuit with some very hard-braking zones, so the riders demand stability from the front tyre to push deep into the corner, but they also need a rear tyre that can put the power down when needed, so we have to supply a range to meet both of these specific demands. Last year we had a full weekend of rain and although we don’t want that again, it was very beneficial for Michelin to have such a long period of sustained wet track time, so we could fully assess and analyse the MICHELIN Power Rain tyres, but one weekend was enough, we certainly don’t want a repeat!”