MotoGP spec-tyre supplier Michelin will introduce a new tyre to the allocation for 2020.
The Michelin Power Slick - the official rear tyre for MotoGP riders has been upgraded following months of intensive testing by Michelin. The upgrade features a new construction which will help increase performance and stability for all riders and machines. The goal is to help riders improve lap times as well as provide extra stability to them during the tough conditions that prevail in MotoGP.
The tests were initially carried out in an in-house in laboratory. The tyre for then for the first time brought out for the MotoGP field in the Catalunya test at Barcelona in June. Further evaluations were carried out at Brno in Czechia and Misano in Italy, before the unique opportunity for Michelin to assess the new construction during a race weekend at Phillip Island - the first time a test such as this had been conducted during a MotoGP weekend. Michelin was lucky enough to have the support of all the riders, IRTA and Dorna, to organise an extra 20-minute session at the Philip Island Circuit. Riders of all the teams were requested to complete a minimum of 11-laps each around the 4,448m Phillip Island circuit in Australia, giving michelin exactly what they needed, a plethora of data and feedback about the tyre. This data gave them a unique opportunity to assess the tyre's new construction and features to evaluate the performance of the new tyre.
In addition, the successful Australian test was soon followed by further examination during the two Spanish tests at the end of 2019, at Valencia and Jerez respectively. Throughout all of these tests in 2019 the new construction rear was paired with compounds suited to the respective circuits and ones which the riders had used during the race-weekend, giving a clear and objective comparison between the tyre constructions. With all this intensive testing and the large amount of information obtained, Michelin's Technicians at Clermont-Ferrand analysed all the data and approved the launch of the new construction in readiness for the 2020 season.
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Michelin will supply the tyre for the two pre-season tests scheduled for February in Malaysia and Qatar before the tyre makes its competitive debut - also in Qatar - when the Losail International Circuit in Doha stages round one of the 2020 MotoGP World Championship on Sunday, March 8.
Piero Taramasso - Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager:
“After such an intensive and involved testing schedule we are delighted to launch the new construction rear tyre. We have been working on this latest evolution for quite some time and with the assistance and comprehensive feedback from all the riders we know we have produced a tyre that will improve performance for all concerned.
We have now informed Dorna and IRTA of the change and have given the teams and manufacturers the full specification and in-depth data so they can set-up the bikes to give the optimum performance from this new rear slick. This is the first change to construction for the rear for two years and an important advance in the evolution of our MICHELIN Power Slick tyres for MotoGP. The new construction is in line with Michelin's long lasting performance approach, which guarantees consistent performance all race long, and we are now looking forward to seeing it perform in racing conditions and breaking more records."
via press release
About Michelin: Michelin is a well-known premium tyre brand which manufactures car, scooter and bike tyres. Michelin is also famous for its Red and Green travel guides and is known for its company mascot Bibendum, which is known as the Michelin Man. Headquartered in France, the company caters to the need of Passenger Cars, Truck, Bus, Two Wheeler & OTR (Off the Road) vehicles. The policy that the company works on is completely customer-centric, and their approach is totally reasonable with top-notch service. Michelin India Technology Center(MITC), an important part of Michelin's global research & development network assists Michelin India's operation and provides research and process engineering services.
