Michelin has postponed its decision to introduce a new front tire for 2025, despite mostly positive feedback from rider testing. Instead, the company has opted for a more cautious approach, delaying the release until 2026.

The announcement was made to teams ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Michelin had limited opportunities to test the new tire this year, with the initial test at Mugello canceled due to bad weather. Last week’s Misano test provided a brief 30-minute window to get the tire on track, but Michelin decided that it wasn’t enough time to gather useful feedback.

Michelin, MotoGP’s official tire supplier, now aims to gather more data next year to ensure the tire is suitable for all bikes and track conditions before it is introduced.

Michelin’s MotoGP director, Piero Taramasso, explained the decision: “After analyzing rider feedback and data from Misano, we’ve decided not to release the new front tire in 2025 as originally planned. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, this year we introduced new front and rear compounds that have performed exceptionally well across all circuits, breaking numerous records. These compounds still have room for improvement, so we’ll continue with them next season.”

Taramasso also noted that while the new tire appeared to be better, with improved grip and rider feedback, it requires more time for adaptation. Some riders quickly found the right feeling, but the tire’s behavior is different from the current one, and adjusting to it takes time.

Michelin has a testing schedule planned for late 2024 and early 2025 to refine the new compound. “We believe we can further improve the product without losing its essence,” Taramasso said. “We’ll bring a new version to Valencia, followed by tests at Sepang and Thailand next year. Testing the tire on different tracks and under various conditions will provide the data we need.”

He emphasized that a rushed decision based on limited testing could have significant consequences. “Once the decision is made, there's no going back. So, we believe taking our time is the right choice.”

Taramasso also highlighted the tire’s innovative production process, using new materials and a lighter profile designed to be more resilient to pressure and temperature changes. However, Michelin is still fine-tuning it to ensure consistent performance across all bikes and conditions.

The new tire is expected to debut with the next generation of MotoGP bikes in 2027, aligning with the upcoming rule cycle. Michelin’s current contract as MotoGP’s sole tire supplier runs until 2026, and Taramasso confirmed that Michelin intends to continue its partnership with MotoGP beyond that point. Negotiations with Dorna are already underway to extend the contract.