Photo: Michelin
Following the tender called by Dorna Sports and which ran until few days ago, Michelin will become the new Official Tire Supplier to MotoGP. In early May the Japanese manufacturer Bridgestone announced it will no longer be supplying tires to the MotoGP championship, most likely as a decision to the more diverse and numerous demands coming from Dorna.
However, after some discussions, Bridgestone agreed to develop and provide the needed tore allocations for the 2015 season, as well, leaving room for the (then unknown) next tire manufacturer. Michelin was the only manufacturer which made an official tender before the 22 May deadline, and Pirelli and Dunlop, who were also expected to join this, have not made any official moves, save for some declarations.
While Michelin has already proven that it can comply with the demanding MotoGP racing schedule and can deliver the needed tire, it’s expected that the financial side of the deal to be discussed and agreed upon soon. After Brigdestone’s initial announcement, rumors started flying around, and a multi-brand competition like in the good old days seemed possible, but Loris Capirossi, MotoGP Safety officer made it clear that the series will remain a single-tire one.
The intermediate tire will be brought back to MotoGP racing, for the races on tracks which are wet enough to make running slicks dangerous, but which are also not suitable for rain tires. At the same time, Dorna demands that three compounds be available for each rider instead of two and more tires be supplied for each racing weekend. After becoming an Official Tire Supplier in 2009, it looks like Bridgestone weighed down the new demands and decided to call it quits, however promising that more high-end tires will be delivered before the final race of the contract is over, leaving a strong, competitive legacy.
But until Valencia 2016, there’s high-paced action in Italy this weekend, with Valentino Rossi’s home round at Mugello.
While Michelin has already proven that it can comply with the demanding MotoGP racing schedule and can deliver the needed tire, it’s expected that the financial side of the deal to be discussed and agreed upon soon. After Brigdestone’s initial announcement, rumors started flying around, and a multi-brand competition like in the good old days seemed possible, but Loris Capirossi, MotoGP Safety officer made it clear that the series will remain a single-tire one.
The intermediate tire will be brought back to MotoGP racing, for the races on tracks which are wet enough to make running slicks dangerous, but which are also not suitable for rain tires. At the same time, Dorna demands that three compounds be available for each rider instead of two and more tires be supplied for each racing weekend. After becoming an Official Tire Supplier in 2009, it looks like Bridgestone weighed down the new demands and decided to call it quits, however promising that more high-end tires will be delivered before the final race of the contract is over, leaving a strong, competitive legacy.
But until Valencia 2016, there’s high-paced action in Italy this weekend, with Valentino Rossi’s home round at Mugello.
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