Official: Michelin introduce new tyre for 2020 MotoGP season

Michelin has officially confirmed that a new construction rear tyre will be available for the 2020 MotoGP season, following a comprehensive range of tests held at a variety of venues last year.

The new construction is aimed at increasing performance and stability for all riders and machines, meaning improved lap and race times.

Following in-house in laboratory tests, the new rear slick was given to the MotoGP field to try for the first time during the Catalunya post-race test in June 2019.

This was followed by further tests held at Brno and Misano, before a special 20-minute track session for the new tyre during the Australian Grand Prix weekend at Phillip Island, the season's most punishing tyre venue.

Michelin then supplied the tyre for further examination during the post-season tests at Valencia and Jerez respectively.

Throughout all of the tests the new construction rear was paired with 'compounds suited to the respective circuits and ones which the riders had used during the race-weekend, giving a clear and objective comparison between the tyre constructions'.

After analysing all of the data and feedback, Michelin’s Technicians at Clermont-Ferrand have approved the launch of the new construction for the 2020 season.

“After such an intensive and involved testing schedule we are delighted to launch the new construction rear tyre," said Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager.

"We have been working on this latest evolution for quite some time and with the assistance and comprehensive feedback from all the riders we know we have produced a tyre that will improve performance for all concerned.

"We have now informed Dorna and IRTA of the change and have given the teams and manufacturers the full specification and in-depth data so they can set-up the bikes to give the optimum performance from this new rear slick.

"This is the first change to construction for the rear for two years and an important advance in the evolution of our Michelin Power Slick tyres for MotoGP.

"The new construction is in line with Michelin’s long lasting performance approach, which guarantees consistent performance all race long, and we are now looking forward to seeing it perform in racing conditions and breaking more records.”

Of the 19 rounds on last year's calendar, eight of the race lap records still date from the pre-2016 Bridgestone single-tyre era: Argentina, Austin, Mugello, Assen, Brno, Aragon, Motegi and Phillip Island.

The new rear tyre will next be on track during the forthcoming pre-season tests held at Sepang and then Losail in February, followed by a race debut in Qatar on Sunday 8th March.