Michelin stated it had at all times doubted claims that Aprilia’s dominance within the MotoGP rounds in Thailand and Brazil was helped by the choice tire construction used.
Because of Buriram’s excessive warmth and Goiania’s high-speed format, Michelin launched stiffer tire constructions to those occasions at first of the 2026 marketing campaign.
Aprilia dominated the Grand Prix in each races, with Marco Bezzecchi taking the solo victory in Thailand and profitable once more in Brazil, beating Jorge Martin’s workforce 1-2.
The RS-GP’s skill to take advantage of more durable tires was highlighted as a motive why Aprilia dominated the remainder in Thailand and Brazil.
The American Grand Prix noticed a return to the usual casing used at most circuits on the calendar, and was anticipated to see Ducati again in motion.
Nonetheless, Ducati failed to complete on the rostrum, whereas Bezzecchi led Aprilia with a 1-2 lead over Martin at COTA.
Aprilia has “one thing extra”
Aprilia’s efficiency in Austin, together with its first dash win of the marketing campaign, disproved earlier theories that its benefit was associated to stiffer tire casings.
However Michelin boss Piero Taramasso insists he by no means subscribed to this concept within the first place.
In an Italian interview motorsportThe pinnacle of Michelin MotoGP stated: “We have had the toughest casings for a number of seasons now, so we at all times thought that[stiffer tires]weren’t going to be the case.
“So everybody is aware of learn how to interpret it and learn how to strategy the setup.
“Riders are getting used to it too. Now Aprilia actually has one thing on the bike.”
Tougher tire casings are used on the Purple Bull Ring, Mandalika, Buriram and Goiania to deal with the surplus warmth demand.
This tire spelled combined fortunes for Ducati final yr.
Ducati dominated at Buriram final season, however the tires have at all times accomplished effectively on the Purple Bull Ring.
Nonetheless, at Mandalica final yr, Ducati’s GP25 struggled on that rubber, whereas the GP24 was capable of dominate within the fingers of Fermin Aldeguer.
Ducati was left puzzled by its tempo on its tires at Buriram this season, having not encountered the identical drawback in testing only a week earlier.
