The news did not come as a surprise. Dorna have made no secret of how happy they have been with the job Michelin have done for them, in helping to make the MotoGP series a much closer and exciting championship. During the press conference held to announce the deal, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta lauded the fact that there had been nine race winners in 2016, saying "this is a championship of bikes and of riders". Ezpeleta added "We are happy Michelin has helped the competitiveness of the championship."
For Michelin, the extension of five years was a welcome show of confidence from Dorna. The French tire manufacturer sees many benefits from racing. In the press conference, Director of Michelin Motorsport Pascal Couasnon explained their motives for going racing. "We race for two main things," Couasnon said. "Obviously, the association of racing with the brand is important. But technical improvement is also important. When you race, you are in extreme conditions and you learn quite a lot. Learning about grip, learning about constant performance with longevity are key areas which we want to transfer very quickly."
Pascal Couasnon, Director of Michelin Motorsport: “After two seasons that have seen tyre performance and strategy make a real contribution to the show delivered by motorcycle racing’s premier series, DORNA Sports has decided to extend its collaboration with Michelin as technical partner and exclusive tyre supplier to MotoGP for five more years. We are naturally delighted to have earned the confidence of Carmelo Ezpeleta and his team. Michelin intends to use its continuing association with DORNA Sports to continue developing ever-safer and more competitive racing tyres, as well as innovations that will go on to benefit our road tyres. Michelin is also delighted to continue working with the teams and riders who gave us such a warm welcome back after our absence from the championship and also to be able to build on the sense of pride felt by our staff following our successful return to MotoGP.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO Dorna Sports: “I am delighted that MotoGP and Michelin will continue their collaboration for a further five years. MotoGP has only continued to grow, excite and thrill fans since Michelin came on board as sole tyre supplier in 2016, and we are proud that our partnership will once again form the foundations of a further five years of stunning racing. This is fantastic news for the Championship, teams and riders as we look to the future.”
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