MotoGP Brno: Factories set for first Michelin test

Manufacturers set for first Michelin MotoGP laps since end of 2008.
MotoGP bike line-up, Qatar MotoGP 2014
MotoGP bike line-up, Qatar MotoGP 2014
© Gold and Goose

MotoGP manufacturers Honda, Yamaha and Ducati will complete their first test with Michelin control tyres within the 🌠next month.

Michelin is taking over the exclusive MotoGP tyre supply f✤rom Bridgestone in 2016 and is also changing wheel size from 16.5 to 17 inch.

"During the next month𒁃 we will start testing," said Yamaha MotoGP Group Leader Kouichi Tsuji. "The wheel size will change from 16.5 to 17 ꦫinch. We are starting to make these wheels and then we can test."

HRC Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto and Ducati Corse🍌 General Manager Luigi Dall💝'Igna gave more precise details.

"The first Michelin tyre test we have planned is for the end of this month in Japan, with test rider," said Nakamoto. "Second test we have not decidedꦜ where."

"We will test the Michelin tyres at the beginning of September here in 💟Brno," said Dall'Igna.

Dall'Igna added: "The bike set-up has to be good for the tyres you are using, so for sure Michelin probably needs something different in♏ terms of balance and weight distribution. It is a completely different tyre. 17-inch instead of 16.5. We will need to develop the bike for Michelin."

2016 will also see the introduction of a mandatory control ECU syst🗹em, using software jointly developed by all the m💞anufacturers.

"We have a big meeting I think this afternoon with the MSMA [manufacturers' association] just to find a conclusion regarding the s🔴oftware and after that maybꦕe we can plan [a test]" said Dall'Igna.

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