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MotoGP, Michelin: Brno is a track that requires respect

Elevation changes, violent acceleration and hard braking are all challenges. Taramasso: "tyres need to give riders the right confidence"

MotoGP: Michelin: Brno is a track that requires respect

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The Brno round does not just mark the MotoGP season's half-way point, but it also presents a challenge for Michelin. The 5403 m Czech track puts tyres to the tests with its hard braking points, rapid acceleration and high-speed turns. All this means significant stress for the tyres that must guarantee good stability and performance.

The Michelin technicians will bring tyres with a symmetrical construction at the front, asymmetric at the rear (in the usual three compounds of soft, medium and hard. Although the Brno track has 6 left-hand turns and 8 right-handers, so fairly good balance between the two, the right-hand turns are taken at greater speed and so a harder compound is required in that part.

Michelin manager Piero Taramasso explains: “Brno is a very demanding circuit and one that requires the upmost respect. It is built in a natural bowl on the hillside, so the elevation changes are very noticeable and these give some really hard-braking areas for the riders and bikes, so we have to have tyres that can give the grip and stability under heavy loads to inspire the confidence the guys need to make the most of this track."

And that's not all.

"There is also a huge amount of stress placed on the tyres under acceleration, so it is essential for us to supply tyres that are ideally matched for these two extremes of functionality. We are going to Brno confident that we have a selection that will meet these needs and also supply good lap-times, as well as giving the consistency and performance that all the riders and different manufacturers are looking for over the 21-laps.”

Translated by Heather Watson
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