Michelin, the new Official Tire Supplier to MotoGP will have the first race-ready tires in Valencia this November, for the initial test of the 2015 championship. Even though Michelin rubber will start shoeing MotoGP bikes only in 2016, the manufacturer seems determined to get things right from the first take, and avoid as many problems as possible for its 2016 debut.
After a long period of time, the Japanese maker Bridgestone announced it will pull out of premier class racing, but after discussions with Dorna Sports, an agreement was reached and it will continue to developed and provide top-drawer tires to MotoGP teams through the end of the 2015 season. This offers Michelin with one and a half years to come up with the right tire compounds and types, including the newly-reintroduced intermediate tire.
The first Michelin test is scheduled for the post-race Monday in Valencia, the official 2015 pre-season kick-off outing. Race Director Mike Webb says that this plan still has to deal with a tricky problem of exclusive contracts between the teams and Bridgestone, deals which technically prevent certain teams and riders to shoe their bikes with Michelin tires as long as the Japanese manufacturer is in a relationship with the MotoGP.
While this seems more of a legal matter, Webb admits that both Dorna and the FIM are making efforts to allow the riders to test the Michelin tires on the current bikes. While the current testing limitations between the factory and the open teams could become a tad more relaxed with the introduction of the Michelin tires, Webb considers that Dorna must provide Michelin with enough support in developing the new generation of MotoGP tires ahead of the 2016 championship.
Since Bridgestone already announced retiring from the MotoGP, using the contracts and their legal stipulations for not allowing the teams to use Michelin tires would be seen as a lack of fair play, given the fact that there’s no competition between the two brands on the GP track.
The first Michelin test is scheduled for the post-race Monday in Valencia, the official 2015 pre-season kick-off outing. Race Director Mike Webb says that this plan still has to deal with a tricky problem of exclusive contracts between the teams and Bridgestone, deals which technically prevent certain teams and riders to shoe their bikes with Michelin tires as long as the Japanese manufacturer is in a relationship with the MotoGP.
While this seems more of a legal matter, Webb admits that both Dorna and the FIM are making efforts to allow the riders to test the Michelin tires on the current bikes. While the current testing limitations between the factory and the open teams could become a tad more relaxed with the introduction of the Michelin tires, Webb considers that Dorna must provide Michelin with enough support in developing the new generation of MotoGP tires ahead of the 2016 championship.
Since Bridgestone already announced retiring from the MotoGP, using the contracts and their legal stipulations for not allowing the teams to use Michelin tires would be seen as a lack of fair play, given the fact that there’s no competition between the two brands on the GP track.
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