Marquez: Hard work to understand all Michelin tyres

Marc Marquez says with Michelin bringing four different sets of both the front and rear dry tyres it will be a tough ask to be comfortable and understand the full characteristics of each compound in Argentina.

Michelin is eager to maximise the track time open to riders during the free practice sessions for the Argentina MotoGP by bringing four different compounds of both front and rear tyres for dry weather running. 

The French tyre manufacturer suffered a nightmare two years ago when it was forced to withdraw all of its rear tyre compounds due to a dramatic failure for Scott Redding in FP4, and replace it with ‘special’ compound at the last minute.

The reigning MotoGP world champion concedes the wide range of tyres in the limited window of practice will make it difficult to fully understand all the compounds which is set to be made even trickier with rain forecast throughout the race weekend.

“Here we have four different compounds for the front and four different compounds for the rear,” Marquez said. “It will be hard work for all riders because there are many different compounds plus it is wet plus the new asphalt.

“Michelin are going about things in a good way because when you have a new asphalt you need to be safe and have all the options to run on Sunday. We will on the track with the new asphalt.”

Around 75% of the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit has been resurfaced since MotoGP’s last visit to the Argentina track 12 months ago which saw Maverick Vinales lead a Movistar Yamaha 1-2. Marc Marquez, who started from pole position, crashed out after completing just three laps and admits he pushed too hard too early last year.

“This is a circuit that I like and normally one I am competitive at and it fits well for my riding style,” Marquez said. “Last year was a big mistake by myself because I attacked too much on the first laps with the hard tyre in the front which was not ready.

“It was my mistake and we learnt from it and we will try to improve and get a good result. The main target is to try to get on to the podium but we will see during the weekend what we can do.”