MotoGP, Michelin tyres tech notes from Sachsenring

Dry and hot weather today at the Sachsenring. Track temperatures were 35° C in the morning and 45° in FP2.
All 6 tyre specifications were tested today (3 front and 3 rear).
 
The track is not used very much because of local noise regulations, so the grip levels are rather low due to the green surface combined with the high temperatures. However, once the bikes have been circulating for a while, the improvement between sessions we see is often greater here than at other circuits.
 
FP1: The Medium front/Medium rear combination was used to begin with and it was the optimum solution at that time. The general feeling was fairly positive, but there was a tendency for the tyres is to lose potential as they covered more laps. During this session, the Soft front was felt to be too soft. The Hard rear worked okay, but the level of grip was lower than the Medium and there was a tricky warm-up period to contend with.
 
FP2: The Hard front/Hard rear combination was the choice this afternoon with the change in track conditions, and most of the riders were able to improve their morning times despite the higher track temperatures. With these tyres there was more front support and improved rear stability. The front worked well for all and the rear was appreciated more, by the more aggressive riders/bikes. The Medium front gave better feedback and the turn-in was more direct. There were quite a few riders who have tried the Medium rear again during this session and their remarks were clear – that it offered more grip and better traction, but it will have to be validated over the 30-lap race distance. Finally for the time attack at the end of the session, the Soft rear offered remarkable levels of extra grip, and it was while using this tyre that Pecco broke the all-time circuit lap record, with a new best time of 1.20.018