Preview – Tissot Grand Prix of The Netherlands 2026 – R10

Press Release Michelin retains its tyre solutions to take on the “Cathedral of Speed” • The FIM MotoGP™ World Championship heads to the legendary Assen circuit this week, one of the longest-standing venues on the calendar and a track where weather conditions can change suddenly. • The tenth round of the season once again takes the riders to this spectacular circuit, whose sequences of fast corners demand high levels of consistency and performance from the tyres. • At the front, the Soft and Medium MICHELIN Power Slick tyres use the specifications of the Soft and Hard compounds from the 2025 allocation. At the rear, the Soft and Medium compounds are identical to those used last year. A fixture on the World Championship calendar since its creation in 1949, with the sole exception of the 2020 season due to the pandemic, Assen is the longest-standing event on the current MotoGP calendar. This year, the Tissot Grand Prix of the Netherlands will take place from 26 to 28 June, at the same time of year as in 2025, and will once again be the tenth round of the season. Located in the north of the Netherlands, in the heart of the province of Drenthe and close to the North Sea, the TT Circuit Assen is 4.542 kilometres long and features 18 corners, comprising 12 right-handers and six left-handers. Nicknamed the “Cathedral of Speed”, its reputation owes less to the maximum speeds reached than to the particularly fast and flowing sequence of its numerous corners. This layout places significant demands on the tyres, which must nevertheless provide riders with complete confidence, predictable behaviour and consistent performance. Michelin has therefore prepared an allocation specifically tailored to the characteristics of the Dutch circuit. Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Competition Manager “Assen is typically one of those circuits where the weather can completely reshuffle the order in a matter of minutes. Wind, cooler temperatures or the arrival of a rain shower can very quickly alter the track conditions and the available level of grip. The lessons learned here in 2025 provide us with a solid foundation for preparing for this year’s event and allow us to approach the various possible scenarios with confidence. “As the layout is particularly flowing, the braking phases are less severe than at some other circuits on the calendar. The rear tyre, however, is placed under considerable stress by repeated acceleration and the long periods spent at lean angle. The moderate abrasiveness of the asphalt helps to limit wear, but the high average speeds and rapid changes of direction mean that variations in tyre temperature must be monitored closely. “The solutions used last season delivered satisfactory levels of performance and consistency in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix. For 2026, we have therefore relied on the same technical fundamentals. This is a positive factor ahead of this new round, as the theoretical set-ups are already familiar to everyone.” The MICHELIN Power Slick tyres available for the front wheel will feature a symmetrical construction, while the rear tyres will be asymmetrical, with a reinforced right-hand shoulder to cope with the greater number of corners in that direction. In the event of rain, the MICHELIN Power Rain range will be made available to Michelin’s partners in the same specifications.   The weekend schedule Track action will begin on Friday 26 June, with Free Practice in the morning, followed by the Practice session in the afternoon, which will determine the ten fastest riders qualifying directly for Q2. On Saturday 27 June, a final Free Practice session will precede Qualifying, comprising Q1 and Q2, which will establish the starting grid. The 13-lap Tissot Sprint will begin at 3:00 p.m. On Sunday 28 June, the 26-lap Grand Prix will start at 2:00 p.m. 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 122,600 people. Race Preview - PDF 2026 Season Media Kit - PDF For further information on Michelin Motorsport please visit:   www.michelinmotorsport.com     Alessandro Barlozzi - alessandro.barlozzi@michelin.com - Phone: +33 6 09 90 57 97 Copyright © 2026. All rights reserved. Unsubscribe?