Agencies/Mugello, Italy

French tyre manufacturer Michelin continues development drive ahead of its introduction as sole MotoGP tyre supplier from 2016 onwards.
Michelin conducted a one-day test at the Mugello circuit in Italy following Sunday’s race.
Whilst the factories’ test riders have continuously been developing the tyres throughout the season so far, this is the first time since the second pre-season Sepang Test that the factory riders gave the French tyres another try.
Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa, Movistar Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, Aprilia’s Alvaro Bautista, as well as Ducati’s
Andrea Dovizioso and test rider Michele Pirro were present to run through a testing cycle that focussed largely on the front tyre.
Michelin’s Technical Director Nicolas Goubert commented: “We came here two weeks ago with the test riders to get ready for this test, and here we are in the second test with the top riders, something which is going to be very important for us, because the feedback they give us is key to their success.”
“The test riders, as well as the top riders, were very happy with the rear tyres at the Sepang test. We think we’re there already with the rear; we just have to adjust it to the different venues we’re going to. But on the front the other hand, they’ve asked us to improve some of the parameters. So we will be concentrating on the front again this time.”
“We will have four different front tyres to test, and a couple of rears only. The profile will actually be the same; it was the best profile we found in Sepang. We will have two variations on the construction, on the casing, and one new compound.”
Goubert also explained the importance of getting the current MotoGP riders to test the updates, and not just the test riders: “You really have to have the right guys, the ones that are going to be on new tyres next year, to tell us what they want, what they need, and what they will feel comfortable with.”
The next test involving factory riders, as well as others from the 2015 line-up, will take place after the Brno race in the Czech Republic on the 17th of August.