The delicate dance of MotoGP tires: Why Toprak Razgatlioglu's transition is all about mastering the Michelin spin!
It's a challenge as old as racing itself: adapting to new machinery. For World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, the leap to MotoGP presents a particularly sticky situation – quite literally, with the Michelin rear tire. Jack Miller, a seasoned MotoGP rider, is shedding light on why Toprak needs to be extra gentle with the throttle, especially coming out of corners.
But here's where it gets controversial... In World Superbike, Razgatlioglu is used to the Pirelli tires, which, according to him, are more forgiving. "When you feel the spin, it’s easy to manage," he explained. "But when the Michelin spins, it doesn't stop again." This means a completely different riding style is needed, one that's more akin to Moto2, where riders have to be incredibly smooth with the throttle to avoid losing precious time.
And this is the part most people miss: Toprak's natural instinct, honed over years in Superbike, is to use the rear tire for turning and sliding. "I was always using the rear tyre for sliding and pick up and good acceleration, but MotoGP is the opposite," he admitted. This fundamental difference is a major hurdle, and it's why he's looking for adjustments, like a new suspension setup, to help him turn better and find more grip.
Jack Miller completely understands the predicament. He highlighted how a spinning Michelin tire can continue to slide in a straight line, a phenomenon that Ducati bikes, known for their smooth throttle application, try to avoid. "If you listen to a Ducati when it opens the throttle, everything is done so smoothly to try and transition the load to not upset the bike," Miller observed.
He even pointed out that Yamaha's previous Inline4 engine struggled with this very issue, making it difficult to maintain traction on corner exit. "If you create the spin early, you continue it," he stated, emphasizing the importance of a clean start to the acceleration phase.
Toprak will have another chance to get a handle on these new tire dynamics at the upcoming Buriram test before his official MotoGP race debut.
So, what do you think? Is the Michelin tire's sensitivity a fair challenge, or is it an unnecessary hurdle for talented riders like Toprak? Let us know in the comments below!
