The return of the Brno circuit to the MotoGP calendar was eagerly awaited by everyone. Spectators turned out in large numbers on Friday despite the unpredictable weather, as did the competitors and, of course, the Michelin Motorsport teams, who had prepared for this event as if it were their first. Not only had the circuit been off the calendar since 2020, but with its surface completely replaced, it was necessary to start from scratch, or almost, to build the tyre allocation for the weekend.
"Returning to Brno was a bit like preparing for a new circuit » explains Piero Taramasso, Michelin Two-Wheel Motorsport Manager." “Five years of development in MotoGP, for the bikes, their aerodynamics and their tyres, is huge. Then, the fact that the track was completely resurfaced meant that all the technical data we had on this track was obsolete. So we prepared our tyre package based on our knowledge of the track, but also on feedback from the two teams that had tested there. We were also counting on Friday to try out all the possible tyre combinations, but the weather complicated our plans. Nevertheless, everything went well and we quickly realised that this weekend would be all about performance. As soon as the track dried out, we got the show we were expecting, and the lap times flew. This weekend’s return to the Brno circuit was an opportunity to demonstrate the impressive performance of our tyres in all conditions. All the records, which dated back to 2020 and even earlier, were broken by a wide margin, but that’s not the most important thing. I prefer to remember the level of entertainment on offer and the technical relevance of our tyres. When Marc Márquez sets the fastest lap of the race on lap 15 (out of 21), it means not only that our tyres allow you to go very fast, but also that their consistency and durability are exceptional. It should therefore be noted that Michelin Motorsport made a winning comeback to the Czech Republic this weekend with the FIM MotoGP World Championship. »
Measuring 5.403 kilometres in length and featuring 14 corners (six left and eight right), the Brno circuit is notable for its particularly challenging topography. With a elevation difference of 73 metres between its highest and lowest points, it is the most undulating track on the championship calendar. Between its five straights, climbs, descents and demanding corners, drivers have to master a real rollercoaster that puts both man and machine to the test.
The new chronometric benchmarks
The five years spent away from Brno have allowed us to see the progress made by the bikes, tyres and teams in an environment that is not new, but on asphalt that has been resurfaced and is conducive to performance.
With the track partly wet for Friday’s practice sessions, Marc Márquez had already come within 1 hundredth of a second of the track record (1’54.596, which he had set in 2016 on a Ducati). When the asphalt dried out and heated up on Saturday morning, the lap times started flying. The fastest time of the weekend, which is now the new absolute circuit record, was set by Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in the second phase of qualifying in 1’52.303, an improvement of more than two seconds on the previous record.
Unsurprisingly, the lap record was also significantly improved. Daniel Pedrosa’s benchmark time (1’56.027) had stood since 2014. During the 2025 Grand Prix, Marc Márquez completed a lap in 1’53.691, setting a new benchmark to beat.
The duration of the Grand Prix was also improved, from 41.07.728 (record set in 2018) to 40.04.628.
The top speed (316.7 km/h) achieved by Andrea Dovizioso in 2020 was easily beaten in the first practice session. Pedro Acosta was clocked at 322.3 km/h on Friday morning. Then the next day, Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) hammered home the point with a speed of 325.3 km/h during the Tissot Sprint.
For the Tissot Grand Prix of Czechia, Michelin provided its partners with three symmetrical tyre options (Soft, Medium, Hard) for the front wheel and three asymmetrical compounds instead of the usual two (Soft, Medium, Hard) for the rear wheel. The right side of the tread had been reinforced to cope with the greater number of corners on that side. For wet conditions, the riders were able to use the MICHELIN Power Rain range in Soft and Medium compounds for both the front and rear, with the same profile as the MICHELIN Power Slick range.
The weekend's results
On Saturday afternoon, the first Tissot Sprint in the history of the Brno circuit was won by Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Team) and Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3).
All three riders opted for the same tyre combination: a MICHELIN Power Slick Medium at the front and rear.
On Sunday, Marc Márquez also took victory in the Tissot Grand Prix of Czechia 2025, this time ahead of Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing). The third step of the podium was taken by Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Team).
For this 21-lap race, the three podium finishers also chose the same tyres: a MICHELIN Power Slick Medium at the front and rear.
See you in a month
After the traditional summer break, the FIM MotoGP World Championship will resume in mid-August. The Austrian Grand Prix will take place at the Spielberg circuit (Austria) from 15 to 17 August. It will also host the 5th and 6th rounds of the FIM MotoE World Championship.
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