How do the tyres cope with the fast and flowing Assen?

Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager Pierro Taramasso explains the demands of the TT Circuit Assen

Michelin heads to the TT Circuit Assen well aware of the demands the fast, flowing and technical nature of the Dutch circuit will put their rear tyres under. The 4.542km track, with its mix of six left and twelve right corners, can put rear tyres under substantial strain, whilst also offering some mouth-watering footage as the MotoGP™ riders get sideways.

Temperatures are expected to be high for the weekend too meaning that Michelin will bring soft, medium and hard rear compounds, with an asymmetric design of a harder right-hand-side. They’ll have a lot of work to do to contend with the increased temperatures and stresses that the tyre faces through the fast rights which are a main feature of the track.

The fronts have a less stressful time, but the demands placed upon them are equally important, so the soft, medium and hard slick compounds in a symmetric finish.

Although early indications are that the weather looks likely to be uncharacteristically hot, wet weather at Assen isn’t unusual. So, if these conditions arise then Michelin have wet tyres in soft and medium compounds available for the front, with the rears coming in an extra-soft symmetric and a soft asymmetric with a harder right-hand-side.

Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager: “Assen is an extremely technical track and one that we prepare for in a slightly different way. The rear tyre does the majority of the work due to the demands placed upon it through the fast, flowing corners, so all the riders need a good, consistent grip, as what they do in one turn can easily influence the rest of the lap.

"It is also a circuit where riders like to push for the whole race and with the extra consistency and grip that the tyres are providing this year with the technology we have introduced into the compounds, we expect them to be able to use the extra drive and durability to produce a close and fast race.

"Assen is also a track where weather can change quickly and play an important part, so we need to be prepared for that, we have had one wet race there since our return to MotoGP and the tyres worked really well, since then the compounds have improved, so if it is wet we expect an equally close and thrilling race as we are hoping for in the dry.”

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