.: Press Release – Motul Grand Prix of the Valencian Community 2025

Press Release

Records, performance and consistency: Michelin closes the 2025 MotoGP™ season in style at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo

Raul Fernandez SPAMarco Bezzecchi ITAFabio Di Giannantonio ITAPodium MotoGP

• An exceptional race weekend for the final MotoGP Grand Prix of the season, with a massive crowd (over 205,000 spectators) turning out to celebrate an extraordinary finale.
• Absent from the calendar since 2023 following the floods that affected the region, the Circuit Ricardo Tormo once again became the stage for a stunning spectacle, where Michelin's partners engaged in a high-intensity battle.
• Several records were broken, including the absolute lap record of 1'28.809 set by Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) during Qualifying.

After a dense season of 22 Grands Prix, each more thrilling than the last, the FIM MotoGP World Championship is finally preparing to enjoy a few weeks of rest. But before that, one final test session—already looking ahead to 2026—will take place on Tuesday, November 18.

The 2025 season was marked by a cascade of new records, set on historic circuits as well as on more recent or newly resurfaced tracks. It was a striking illustration of the adaptability of the Michelin teams and the versatility of the MICHELIN Power range, whose technology is finely tuned to each type of layout while supporting the continuous progression of Grand Prix motorcycles.

A symbol of this extreme precision, the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia once again proved to be a perfect showcase for both rider and tyre performance. Over this November weekend, its absolute lap record was beaten by five riders, their times fitting into a tiny margin of just 96 hundredths. Leading the way, Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) set the new benchmark with a 1'28.809 lap.

Piero Taramasso, Two-Wheel Motorsport Manager at Michelin Motorsport

"Returning to Valencia after two years was a real pleasure, and above all it allowed us to confirm just how much MotoGP is a discipline of extreme precision. Grand Prix motorcycles are constantly evolving, and from the very first day we saw that we needed to reacquaint ourselves with this very specific, highly asymmetrical circuit, with particularly high load on the left side.

"After evaluating all the available specifications, our partners quickly perceived the potential of our tyres, and the records soon began to fall. Achieving such performances after two years away demonstrates our ability to continuously adapt to the evolution of both the tracks and Grand Prix motorcycles.

"During the Tissot Sprint on Saturday, where all five available tyre specifications were used, and then in Sunday's Grand Prix with three different compounds on track, we once again showcased the consistent performance of the MICHELIN Power MotoGP ranges."

For the 2025 Motul Grand Prix of the Valencian Community, Michelin Motorsport brought the tyres initially planned for 2024, similar to those used in 2023 in terms of casing stiffness and compound distribution. Riders had a choice of three compounds (Soft, Medium and Hard) for the front tyre, and two compounds (Soft and Medium) for the rear. Notably, all these tyres are asymmetrical, featuring reinforced rubber on the left side of the tread to withstand the constraints and higher number of left-hand corners.

In Valencia, on Saturday afternoon, Alex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing) prevailed in the Tissot Sprint, ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Team) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).

The next day, Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) won the Grand Prix, ahead of Raoul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Racing) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).

Several records were set during this weekend

Marco Bezzecchi is the new holder of the Circuit Ricardo Tormo lap record: 1'28.809.

The new reference time for the Tissot Sprint is 19'37.490 (compared with 19'38.827 in 2023), and the new Grand Prix race duration is 40'54.458, compared with 40'58.535 in 2023.

Raoul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Racing) set a new race-lap record with a reference time of 1'29.976.

Marco Bezzecchi and Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) were the two fastest riders of the weekend, reaching 342 km/h—the highest speed ever recorded at Valencia in MotoGP.

Looking ahead to 2026

The 2026 FIM MotoGP World Championship season will begin on Tuesday, November 18, in Valencia, with a test session during which manufacturers and riders will start evaluating the first technical developments planned for 2026. The traditional Sepang Shakedown will follow from January 29 to 31, 2026, before another test session at the Malaysian circuit from February 3 to 5.

Preparation will then continue in Thailand, with the Buriram tests scheduled for February 21 and 22, 2026, ahead of the Thailand Grand Prix, which will take place from February 27 to March 1.

About Michelin

Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 175 countries and employs 129,800 people.

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