May 1st may be International Workers' Day but not for the riders who will be kept busy on track. Michelin has organised a two-day test at the Le Mans circuit on Monday and Tuesday. The track has recently been resurfaced and the tyre supplier wants to be sure that it is best prepared for its home Grand Prix, taking place on 21 May.
All of the manufacturers have accepted Michelin's invite, with the exception of Suzuki. Aprilia and KTM, having no limit in terms of test days, will test on both days. The Noale manufacturer had already arranged two test days at Mugello this week, but they were conditioned by bad weather.
The Austrian manufacturer, on the other hand, will use the Le Mans test to try a new engine that it might already use at Jerez.
Ducati, Honda and Yamaha will only be on track on one of the days with their factory riders so as not to use up the 5 test days permitted during the season.