MotoGP
Michelin Rossi tire analysis
Valentino Rossi's front tyre at the Chinese GP: the results of Michelin's analysis On lap 16 of last month's Shanghai GP, Valentino Rossi had to pit due to excessive vibration from his front tyre, which was found to have been caused by the loss ...
Published: Jun 15, 2006, 6:48 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Valentino Rossi's front tyre at the Chinese GP: the results of Michelin's analysis
On lap 16 of last month's Shanghai GP, Valentino Rossi had to pit due to excessive vibration from his front tyre, which was found to have been caused by the loss of a small piece of tread. The tyre remained inflated despite the missing piece of tread.
The analyses conducted at Michelin's Clermont-Ferrand HQ did not show any fault in the tyre. The same tyre specification was used by seven other Michelin riders in the same race without any trouble throughout the 22 laps.
The very high level of stress experienced at Shanghai by the centre part of the tyre is the highest during the whole MotoGP season, because of frequent decelerations from over 320km/h to 60km/h within less than eight seconds. It would appear that this tyre could not sustain that level of strain; the safety margin we always include when we develop a tyre was apparently not enough in this particular case. The parameters that influence the levels of stress that a tyre undergoes are, among others: track layout, grip level, riding style and bike set-up.
We apologise wholeheartedly to Valentino and the Yamaha team for having failed in this case to provide a front tyre capable of being competitive throughout the race. We have, of course, already taken all necessary measures, where physically possible, to ensure that such an event doesn't happen again.
-michelin
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Catalunyan GP: Pramac d'Antin preview
Next article Catalunyan GP: Qualifying times
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi in new autobiography: '2015 still hurts, Marc Marquez wanted me to lose'
MotoGP
MotoGP
Qatar GP
10 h
Valentino Rossi in new autobiography: '2015 still hurts, Marc Marquez wanted me to lose'
The closest finish in MotoGP history: Toni Elias over Valentino Rossi 20 years ago
MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
The closest finish in MotoGP history: Toni Elias over Valentino Rossi 20 years ago
Marc Marquez to read Valentino Rossi’s new book “when I retire” from MotoGP
MotoGP
MotoGP
San Marino GP
Marc Marquez to read Valentino Rossi’s new book “when I retire” from MotoGP
Latest news
Jamie Little will not return to NASCAR broadcast booth in 2027
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 1 h
Jamie Little will not return to NASCAR broadcast booth in 2027
Logano, Sargeant, and Muniz among Ford drivers taking part in Daytona exhibition race
General
Misc General 2 h
Logano, Sargeant, and Muniz among Ford drivers taking part in Daytona exhibition race
IndyCar 2026 season review: AJ Foyt Racing
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 3 h
IndyCar 2026 season review: AJ Foyt Racing
Ryan Blaney to skip events after suffering fall 'requiring medical attention'
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Ryan Blaney to skip events after suffering fall 'requiring medical attention'
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe