This weekend marks the start of a very intensive period of racing for Michelin at the MotoGP paddock, with three consecutive race weekends beginning at Japan’s Motegi circuit.
Marc Marquez may have already clinched another premier class title, and deservedly so given his performances this season, but we still have four races remaining as riders look to increase their stocks before the quiet winter period.
Marquez was the winner last time out in Japan, joined on the podium by Cal Crutchlow and Alex Rins, but it may surprise you to know that the dominant Spaniard doesn’t hold any of the current lap, speed or race duration records at Motegi.
For Michelin, this is not a particularly demanding circuit, although the greater number of right-handers does mean that one shoulder of the tyre takes a greater degree of punishment than the other. As such, all rear Power Slick and Power Rain tyres will use a harder compound on the right hand shoulder.
Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport’s 2-Wheel Manager commented:
“This is the second of the four flyaway races and the first of the three-week tour around the Pacific Ocean. This is always a demanding time for logistics and for the different circuits we face.
Motegi is a track that demands stability from the front as the riders brake hard into many turns, especially ones such as ’90 Degree Corner’, but then they also need the grip from the rear to get the power down to accelerate from these slower corners.
We select compounds which we know will meet these requirements and give all the riders the confidence they need to push hard into the corners, while still having total control of their machines.
Motegi can also be wet, but after what happened there in 2017, we know how well the rain tyres work, so have no worries about those giving top performance for all.”
