MICHELIN ADDS A NEW REAR TYRE CHOICE FOR SEPANG

Michelin will give MotoGP teams an extra rear-tyre choice at Sepang this weekend, despite the circuit’s planned resurfacing being cancelled. The Malaysian Grand Prix will therefore take place on the same asphalt used in 2025, rather than the new surface Michelin had originally considered when preparing its allocation.

The new option is a medium rear specification. It joins last year’s soft, which performed well and was used by every rider in both the Sprint and Grand Prix, and the 2025 medium, now designated the hard. Michelin will also provide soft and medium front tyres. Track temperatures at Sepang can rise above 50 degrees, adding to the demands of a circuit known for putting tyres under heavy strain.

Piero Taramasso, Michelin’s motorsport two-wheel competition manager, said Sepang is familiar to teams because it hosts regular testing as well as the Grand Prix, but remains a particularly challenging venue. “For this year’s event, we originally prepared our tyre allocation with a planned resurfacing of the circuit in mind. However, the work was ultimately not carried out, so we will be racing on the same asphalt as in 2025,” he said.

Michelin nevertheless chose to keep the new medium in the allocation. Taramasso said it was not designed specifically for the existing surface, but would give teams another option alongside two proven compounds. With three rear specifications offering different characteristics, riders and engineers can adapt their choices to track conditions and race plans. “On such a demanding circuit, this additional flexibility could prove to be a real advantage,” he said.

The tyre decision comes as Marc Marquez arrives in Malaysia leading the world championship. He holds a ten-point advantage over injured title rival Jorge Martin.