A Friday disrupted by humidity and constantly changing grip
The opening day at Portimão was marked by significant track evolution. Temperature remained steady at 24°C, but intermittent rain and lingering humidity reduced grip and led to slower lap times than in 2024. Riders used their full allocation without identifying a clear front/rear combination. The Medium specifications showed excellent potential, although rider feedback varied depending heavily on riding style and machine setup. The Practice session reflected this diversity, with five different bikes topping the leaderboard.
MotoE qualifying was severely disrupted by a sudden weather change. Several riders were caught out without rain tyres just as the track turned wet. This raised concerns about potential influence on Saturday's two races and on the title deciders.
Despite these uncertainties, Michelin anticipated a more coherent Saturday and progressively improving grip on a dry track, with a likely strategy of Medium front and Soft rear for the Tissot Sprint.
A still-complex Saturday followed by a closely fought Tissot Sprint
Day two began on a damp track. Riders started on rain tyres before switching to Soft slicks front and rear as the racing line dried.
Track temperature was 22°C and conditions did not allow ideal preparation for the Tissot Sprint.
Despite some lingering damp patches, Q2 produced lap times close to the circuit record. For the Tissot Sprint, tyre choice became almost unanimous: Hard front and Soft rear. Only Somkiat Chantra (LCR Honda) opted for a Medium front.
Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) won the Tissot Sprint after a strong launch from fifth on the grid. He prevailed over Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) after an intense battle. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), who had taken pole, completed the podium.
The day also marked the conclusion of the FIM MotoE championship. Alessandro Zaccone (Aruba Cloud) secured the world title after a season that showcased the rising performance of the MICHELIN Power tyre with high renewable and recycled material content.
A sunny Sunday and a new race-duration record
Clear skies on Sunday offered riders stable conditions, with 30°C at race start. The grid adopted a uniform strategy with Hard front and Medium rear, except for Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) who selected a Medium front.
From pole, Marco Bezzecchi quickly took command. Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta initially matched his pace, with Acosta setting a new lap record in 1:38.237, beating Enea Bastianini's 2024 benchmark.
At mid-distance, Bezzecchi's strong and consistent rhythm allowed him to open a decisive gap. He took victory while setting a new race-duration record at 41:13.616, roughly 4.5 seconds faster than the 2024 race won by Bastianini. Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta finished second and third. The performance and consistency of the Hard-front/Medium-rear combination confirmed the relevance of Michelin's renewed allocation.
Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Competition Manager
"This weekend fully illustrated the wide range of conditions Portimão can offer. The weather constantly shifted the available grip window, which forced teams into genuine technical decision-making.
"Friday was the most confusing day, with a rapidly evolving track lacking grip because of fluctuating humidity. We observed a wide variety of rider feedback depending on bike and riding style. Despite the general lack of feeling, the allocation showed remarkable consistency. The Medium specs responded well and riders were able to build their strategies session after session.
"Saturday was a strong learning experience. Riders had to transition from rain tyres to slicks on a changing track, which is never easy. The unanimous choice of the Hard front and Soft rear for the Tissot Sprint confirmed riders' confidence in the Hard front on this layout.
"Sunday was the day that best represented the true potential of our allocation. Temperatures were stable, the track was clean and riders could fully exploit the Hard front and Medium rear. Marco Bezzecchi gave a perfect illustration of what this combination can deliver at its highest level. His steady rhythm and his ability to repeat near-identical lap times produced the race-duration record and demonstrated the consistency we aim for at this very particular track.
"We also close the weekend with the end of the MotoE championship. I congratulate Alessandro Zaccone on his title. The work carried out in this category has been hugely valuable, especially regarding renewable and recycled materials, and we will continue this momentum in other disciplines. I am proud that Michelin technology keeps proving that performance, consistency and environmental responsibility can coexist in top-level racing."
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