Michelin announced as new Official Tire Supplier to MotoGP

Dorna has revealed that Michelin will become the new Official Tire Supplier to MotoGP from the 2016 season onwards. Following a tendering process that saw three manufacturers expressing an interest, Michelin was the only company to formally apply for the contract within the allotted time.

Following the announcement at the beginning of May this year, speculation was rife on the reason why current supplier Bridgestone had chosen to end it’s involvement with the premier class. However when it came to the question on who would replace the Japanese manufacturer, most believed Michelin would be the obvious choice.

Michelin last supplied tires to MotoGP in 2008 when the rules allowed for multiple suppliers and the company has a total of 26 premier class titles between the 500cc and MotoGP eras. Following stiff criticism from a host of riders in 2008, the company, based in the Auvergne region of France decided not to submit formal application for 2009.

Dorna released a statement regarding the new contract and pointed at Michelin’s track record and experience being obvious factors in its choice. “Interested tire manufacturers were able to request the technical specifications from Dorna’s Managing Director Javier Alonso, with three potential tire suppliers initially expressing an interest – before Michelin alone made a formal tender before the 22nd May deadline.”

The next step in the process will be the drawing out of a commercial agreement between Dorna and Michelin as Official Tire Supplier, Michelin having already clearly proven its technical abilities to respond to the needs of a demanding Grand Prix racing schedule,” the statement reads.