Michelin’s track manager, Piero Taramasso, spoke about various important results in the sport regarding tires, particularly the front, in an interview with Motociclismo. However, in the world’s fastest two-wheeled competition, it doesn’t appear to be the case that rear tires deteriorate more quickly than front ones do.
Since MotoGP tires are a distinct species from road or even track tires, GP tire technology seems to be trailing behind motorcycles in several ways. In the interview, which Taramasso translated from Italian, he claims that “cycles have changed a lot, even in the previous two years, and correspondingly the riding style of the riders.”
In his subsequent remarks, Taramasso goes into great depth on how riders have been putting a lot of pressure on the front tire while approaching bends late as a result of Marc Marquez’s innovations and his audacious corner entry and forceful departure style.
The aerodynamics of the GP motorcycles, which now all have winglets to assist keep the front glued to the tarmac, are also placing more strain on the front. In MotoGP, brakes are becoming stronger as well, which adds to the pressure and stress on the bike’s front end.
Since most riders aren’t as harsh on the fronts of most bikes, the rear often wears out more quickly. Every time riders in MotoGP sit on the rear tire and speed in a straight line, they give the front tires a little respite before squatting back on the front as they approach the next bend.
Further evidence that the technology is certainly trailing behind the motorcycles is provided by Taramasso’s revelation that front tires have not changed in five years.
The COVID-19 Pandemic, however, stood in the way of Michelin’s intentions to switch to a superior MotoGP tire, which caused tire development to sluggishly proceed. Taramasso asserts that testing on a new tire will take place in 2023, with a debut preferably planned for 2024 after the current MotoGP season. The new tire’s resistance to variations in temperature and pressure was also addressed.
MotoGP races may become more entertaining with more overtaking if tires use a more sophisticated compound. The track and the weather are now determining factors in overtaking frequency, with extreme heat and humidity being detrimental elements.