Michelin had its range of MotoGP tyre compounds used to impressive effect during the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France at its home race from a packed Le Mans as Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) took his third victory in succession in this year’s championship.
The outright lap-record fell many times before home favourite Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) set the lowest time of the event in the Qualifying Practice to take Pole Position for the 27-lap race. Michelin had its full range of tyres contend with some very unusual circumstances all throughout the three-days. The ultra-grippy track gave the riders the opportunity to use the tyres to their full extent. But the cool air and low track temperatures meant that every racer had to continually push to keep their rubber at the optimum operating temperature. This mix of conditions meant that tyre choice was a major factor. It led to using four of the six slicks in the race.
After most of the record-breaking 105,203 fans at trackside sang a stirring rendition of ‘La Marseillaise’ the lights changed to signal go. Zarco was quickly off the line but yielded the lead to the Ducati pair of Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team). The three all challenged for the front before the tricky conditions saw both Dovizioso and Zarco crash out. Lorenzo was then pursued by Marquez for three laps before the reigning champion challenged for and took the lead on lap 10. The Honda rider then never looked back as he set consistently fast laps using a medium front and hard rear compound tyre – the only rider to choose the hard version – on his way to his 38th premier class win.
Behind Marquez were some interesting battles as Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) produced a great ride to take second – and the First Independent Rider position – on his Ducati equipped with soft front and rear compound tyres. Third went to Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) who chose a medium front compound paired with a soft rear. All three on the podium again demonstrated the different choices by riders. The trio had separate configurations on their respective machines from three different manufacturers.
The race took place in dry and sunny conditions. But cool air and the breeze kept temperatures to 18°C, with asphalt getting to the high 30s.
Following the podium threesome home was Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing), with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) in fifth. Sixth went to Lorenzo and Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) took seventh. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) rode to a brave eighth after spending last night in hospital. He had a huge high-side crash in qualifying. Ninth was Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) with his best result of the season so far. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) rounded out the top ten.
Una bella domenica.
A nice Sunday. #FrenchGP @MotoGP @pramacracing pic.twitter.com/gKYhAjJvW3— Danilo Petrucci (@Petrux9) May 21, 2018
Michelin’s next stop of the round-the-world MotoGP tour is the picturesque circuit of Mugello in Italy, which will stage the sixth round of the 2018 season on Sunday 3rd June.
Piero Taramasso – Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager:
“This has been another strong weekend for us. We saw the outright record broken, the race was very fast and the range of tyres we brought to our home race suited the track very well. We did not foresee the cooler air temperatures, which made the tyres cool if the riders didn’t keep pushing and this was something the technicians had to make sure all the teams were aware of, so that the guys could get maximum traction, but also ride safely.”
“Marc produced some fast lap-times in the race and took a deserved win on the day, but Danilo and Valentino pushed him all the way. It was again pleasing to see three brands of bikes on the podium equipped with three different configurations of compounds and what was also important was that all six manufacturers were in the first eleven positions, this is a big plus for the championship and again highlights our drive to make tyres for all.”
Re-live another dramatic title-shaping #MotoGP race from the #FrenchGP ??
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— MotoGP™??? (@MotoGP) May 21, 2018
