MotoGP field to debut Michelin tyres at second Sepang test

Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi will get their first opportunity to evaluate Michelin’s new controlled MotoGP tyres during the 2015 pre-season testing campaign.

Although the French manufacturer doesn’t take over from Bridgestone as the official tyre supplier until 2016, the entire MotoGP field will commence crucial testing over a year in advance of Michelin’s contract commencing.

Wheel size will change from 16.5 to 17-inch and Honda, Yamaha and Ducati are all set to begin Michelin tyre testing this month.

Marquez, Rossi and the rest of the MotoGP field will get their first chance to evaluate the new Michelin tyres in an extended test session in Sepang next February.

MCN has learned the all three pre-season MotoGP tests in 2015 have been extended from three to four days, with one day at each exclusively dedicated to Michelin tyre testing.

Dates leaked to MCN show the first Sepang test will run from February 4th to the 7th.
The final day will be used for Michelin tyre testing, but only factory test riders are permitted to take part.

Sepang 2 will take place on February 23rd to the 26th and the final day at that session will be when Marquez, Rossi and the rest of the MotoGP grid will get their first chance to test Michelin rubber.

The pre-season campaign will conclude under the Losail International Circuit floodlights in Qatar on a date as yet confirmed. March 6th to 9th and March 13th to 16th have been pencilled in, with the first day of that test being allocated to Michelin testing, though again it will only be for official factory test riders.

Once the date of the Qatar test has been agreed, the 2015 world championship campaign will get underway in Qatar on either March 15th or March 22nd.
A provisional 2015 MotoGP calendar is expected to be released by the end of September.