News 22 Oct 2019

Michelin to roll out 2020 tyre test during Phillip Island GP weekend

Compulsory rear tyre test session scheduled for Friday.

Image: Supplied.

Michelin will roll out a 2020 tyre test during this weekend’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island, where all riders will need to complete a minimum of 11 laps in an additional one-off session.

The new specification rear tyre, as tested at Barcelona, Brno and Misano, will be evaluated at the Australian circuit to give Michelin the opportunity to assess the latest evolution of tyre – which has a new construction and is designed to improve performance – at a circuit that places high demands on the rear tyre.

Each rider will have one of the tyres available in either a soft or medium compound specification and will be required to test them in a separate 20-minute session on Friday.

The times recorded will not count towards qualification, and the tyres can only be used in this mandatory test session and will not be available for any other practice sessions, qualifying, warm-up or for the race.

The new specification is designed for the 2020 season and following evaluation of the data collected at Phillip Island, a decision will be made as to whether to add it to next year’s allocation.

This new tyre for the test will be asymmetric in design to match the demands of the circuit – the same as the tyres in the race allocation – with a harder left-hand side and will feature the compounds specifically designed to combat the huge stresses the tyres are placed under at Phillip Island.

Every rider will be requested to do a minimum of 11-laps and will be able to pair this test tyre with a front Michelin Power Slick from the specifications available to them at the Australian track, this extra front will not come from the riders’ allocation for the weekend and will be supplied separately to the usual allowance.

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