From May 8 to 10, 2026, the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship will stop at one of its most iconic venues for the MICHELIN Grand Prix de France 2026, held on the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans. As the fifth round of the season, this event holds special significance for Michelin, which will be racing on home soil while serving, for the third consecutive year, as title partner of the event.
At Le Mans, a historic territory for the French manufacturer, the French Grand Prix stands out as a unique fixture on the calendar. It is distinguished by the quality of its organization and by the exceptional enthusiasm of its spectators, recognized as the largest and among the most passionate crowds of the championship. This unique connection with fans, teams, and Group employees gives the event a strong human dimension, at the heart of Michelin’s commitment to MotoGP.
Measuring 4.185 km, the Bugatti Circuit is characterized by a technical stop-and-go layout, alternating heavy braking zones with acceleration phases. With nine right-hand turns and five left-handers, it places particular stress on the right side of the rear tyre. While its level of abrasiveness remains moderate and overall energy demands are relatively low, Le Mans nonetheless requires great riding precision, as well as excellent stability and consistent grip to maintain a high pace.
Added to these specific features is a decisive variable: the weather. Traditionally changeable in May, conditions can evolve rapidly between morning and afternoon, requiring teams to rely on tyres capable of delivering a wide operating range.
In this context, Michelin has designed a 2026 allocation centered on Medium-Soft compounds, prioritizing versatility and consistency. The MICHELIN Power Slick front tyres are available in three symmetric specifications (Soft, Medium, and Hard), allowing fine-tuned adaptation to track conditions. This configuration is accompanied by an allocation of 15 front tyres (5 of each specification).
At the rear, riders will have two asymmetric compounds, Soft and Medium, identical to those of 2025, with reinforced right shoulders to meet the specific demands of the track.
In wet conditions, MICHELIN Power Rain tyres — in Soft and Medium compounds — will also feature this asymmetric architecture at the rear.
“The French Grand Prix is always a very special moment for Michelin, because we race at home, on a circuit that is part of our history and in front of an exceptional crowd,” explains Piero Taramasso, Two-Wheel Motorsport Manager at Michelin. “Le Mans is a very interesting track for us: it is not the fastest on the calendar, but it demands a great deal of precision, stability, and consistency in grip. It is also a circuit where conditions can change very quickly, making tyre management absolutely crucial.
In this context, our objective is to provide an allocation capable of covering a wide range of situations, while allowing riders to fully express their potential. We have therefore worked on a Medium-Soft focus, with three front specifications to offer greater flexibility, particularly in response to temperature variations, and proven rear solutions suited to the circuit’s constraints.
Finally, this edition has special significance as it concludes three years during which Michelin has been very proud to serve as title partner of its national Grand Prix. It is a collaboration carried out with high-quality partners, which fully contributes to the success and influence of this event.”
At Le Mans, Michelin will also offer the public a dedicated space focused on “A decade of Michelin in MotoGP,” highlighting ten years of commitment, innovation, and close collaboration with teams. This initiative aims to share the manufacturer’s expertise with fans and showcase the journey since its return to the discipline.
As part of the activities offered to the public, Michelin will once again organize a particularly popular initiative from the previous edition: a cycling race bringing together several MotoGP riders on the Bugatti Circuit layout. Scheduled for Thursday, May 7, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm, this activity helps bring the event to life from the very first days, while promoting a message in favor of sustainable mobility.
The MICHELIN Grand Prix de France 2026 will get underway on Friday, May 8 at 10:45 am with Free Practice 1 (45 minutes), followed by the Practice session at 3:00 pm (1 hour), from which the top ten riders will advance directly to Q2.
On Saturday, after Free Practice 2, qualifying sessions will take place between 10:50 am and 11:30 am, with two riders advancing from Q1 to complete the Q2 lineup (12 riders). The Tissot Sprint (13 laps) will be held at 3:00 pm. The race will start on Sunday, May 10 at 2:00 pm, over 27 laps.
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