The end of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship season promises to be lively affair. After leaving the Losail International Circuit (Qatar) only a few days ago with the title still up for grabs, the two riders still in the running to be World Champion will arrive in Valencia (Spain) determined to win. In one corner, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – 437 points and leader of the general classification, and in the other Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) – only 21 points behind – are preparing for an intense battle. This would be the second consecutive world crown for the rider from the Ducati factory team, or a great first for the Spanish rider from Prima Pramac Racing.
"The Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia is atypical, since it is taken in an anti-clockwise direction," says Piero Taramasso, manager of the Michelin two-wheel competition department. "It is one of the three circuits that run in this direction, along with the Sachsenring, in Germany, and Philip Island, in Australia. As in Qatar, here we will discover a track that has been completely resurfaced in recent weeks, but we will not need to test more specifications than usual because the expected low track temperatures already directs us towards relatively soft compounds. Our MICHELIN Power Slicks will therefore be available in three compounds (Soft, Medium and Hard) for the front, and two (Soft and Medium) for the rear. Taking into account the characteristics of the track and the number of turns, we will bring asymmetrical tyres front and rear, although it is more usual that the front remains symmetrical. The left side of the tyres will be reinforced in order to handle the demands of the circuit."
In the event of rain, the Michelin Motorsport teams will also bring dedicated tyres. The MICHELIN Power Rain range will be offered in Soft and Medium compounds for the front and rear, with only the latter being asymmetrical.
Michelin’s partners will have to tame the 14 turns of the circuit (including 9 left-handers), on a track that is just over 4 km (4.01 km), with an 879 m straight. This layout means the circuit is relatively slow but very rhythmic, with impressive changes in elevation and sweeping corners.
Despite being at the end of the season, the fact that the weather forecasts are good and a Spanish rider is still in the running to win the title, mean the organizers expect a record attendance at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, which is less than 30 minutes from Valencia city centre and the sea.
The weekend schedule
All the teams, along with the Michelin Motorsport teams, left the paddock of the Losail circuit, in Qatar, during the Sunday night and Monday morning. The first trucks arrived in the Valencia paddock on Wednesday, and the team set-ups were done the same day.
The first practice session will take place on Friday 24 November from 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. then the second, which will allow the 10 fastest riders to move directly to Q2 the next day, will take place from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturday, the action will begin at 10:10 a.m. with a 30-minute free practice session, then Q1 and Q2 qualifying sessions of 15 minutes each will close the morning. In the afternoon, the 13-lap Tissot Sprint will take place at 3 p.m. The 27-lap Grand Prix will take place on Sunday at the same time, after a 10-minute warm-up during the morning.
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