Preview – Grande Prémio Tissot de Portugal 2022 R52022-04-21 08:58The fifth round of the 2022 MotoGP™ season will see the Michelin team and the rest of the GP paddock heading back to Europe, and to the Algarve International Circuit near Portimão, Portugal for the Grande Prémio Tissot de Portugal. Nestled in the beautiful setting of Portugal’s Algarve, the 100,000 capacity Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is known more colloquially as Portimão. The 4.6km (2.85 mile) circuit features nine right- and six left-hand corners and a front straight almost a kilometre long, that allows the riders to hit speeds of more than 350km/h. The elevation changes in its rolling layout are quite dramatic and the unique downhill descent into Turn 1 sees that section referred to by many as a ‘high-speed rollercoaster’. Michelin will bring a range of MICHELIN Power Slick tyres for the circuit with the allocation comprising the usual three compounds. The front tyre selection will feature Soft, Medium and Hard options, which are all symmetric. The rear allocation will see Soft and Hard asymmetric options, with the harder compound on the right to cope with the additional right-hand corners, plus a symmetric Medium option. Temperatures in the Algarve in Spring should be quite mild, but due to its location close to the coast, there is also a chance of rain. With this in mind, MICHELIN Power Rain tyres will also be available, and the allocation will be Soft and Medium symmetric fronts, and Soft and Medium rears with an asymmetric design featuring a harder compound on the right, the same as their slick counterparts. Speaking about the first European race in 2022, Piero Taramasso, Michelin Two-Wheel Motorsport Manager, said: “Following our record-breaking race weekend in Austin, and the logistically challenging start to the 2022 season, we are looking forward to our return to Europe. As this is now the third visit to Portimão for MotoGP we have more detailed track data which has helped us to further fine-tune our tyre allocation for this weekend. The opening four races were a real roller-coaster in terms of exciting racing for the fans, and I’m confident this high level will continue now we are at this incredible Algarve circuit, with its own high speed roller-coaster.” The action on the circuit will start on Friday 22 April for the first two Free Practice sessions, when the MotoGP riders will get their first ride in Europe since Valencia last year. Saturday’s schedule will include the next two Free Practice sessions, and Qualifying sessions to decide grid positions. Sunday’s 25-lap race will get underway when the lights will go out to signal the start at 13:00 local time. About Michelin Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility, sustainably; designing and distributing the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its clients’ needs; providing digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 177 countries, has 124,760 employees and operates 68 tire production facilities which together produced around 173 million tires in 2021. (www.michelin.com) Source: Michelin Motorsport Click here to visit our forums to discuss this story |
Headlines
|