Tyres have been one of the key factors of this year MotoGP 2016 championship. Every rider has talked about it every race weekend and no matter what team or riding style, the rider knew that their race would depend on their feeling with the tyres.

As spec-tyre rookies, Michelin did a decent job and were able to react extremely quickly every time an issue arose as they did Argentina or Assen. Piero Taramasso, the man in charge of the MotoGP project, says the aim in 2017 is to provide one casing and one profile for the season, and only change compounds track by track, he tells BSN at Valencia:

Let’s start with the 2016. Can you give a mark from one to ten on your work this year ?
“I would say seven for the whole job done. Just look at Valencia, which is a difficult track; we improve in term of lap times with new lap record. If we take responsiveness into consideration the mark is 9.5. We always react quickly to every problem. The worst moment of the season was in Argentina when the tyre of Scott Redding delaminated.

“Fortunately the tyre didn’t explode and the rider didn’t crash. Our response was extremely quick. In three days we were able to produce and complete new tyre and bring it to Austin the following weekend. We react immediately after Assen as well, bringing a new wet tyre for Sachsenring.”

Looking at the new season, what are the plans for 2017?
“Our target is to arrive in Qatar for the first race with one profile and one casing and to keep them for the whole year. In this way we can work only on the different compounds to suit the characteristics of the different tracks and asphalts. There will be for sure some special tyres for Phillip Island, Valencia and Sachsenring, because these circuits are asymmetrical.

“We aim at a more stable situation - to supply a simplified tyre choice. If we maintain a fixed profile and casing, it would much easier for the teams. This year it was not possible, because it was our first season since we returned and we had to gain experience. From one race to another we need to make evolutions, to improve the grip, and so on.”

Will you use the softer carcass used at Valencia?
“Yes, the base should remain the one we finished with the 2016 season. On day two at Valencia we also tested two new front profiles to improve the feeling at maximum lean angle, while next week in Jerez we will test a new solution for the rear to improve the grip and the traction. There won’t be a drastic change.”

Will you stop the supply of the intermediate tyres?
“Dorna will make the final decision and I think that at 90 per cent they will decide not to use them next year. We also agree, because we have seen that we can use the hard rain in mixed conditions of the track. So there is no need. According to the experience of this year, we have also seen that it’s easier for teams to make confusion when there is a bigger option to choose from. If we simplify things, it’s better. Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez were in favour of not using the intermediate tyres in 2017, while Cal Crutchlow, Andrea Dovizioso and Bradley Smith would like to continue. Jorge Lorenzo didn’t push for one direction or the other.”

With the Valencia test, the 2017 season kicks off. What is your evaluation?
“It will be a very interesting and hard fought championship if we look at the lap times realized during the test. The riders who changed team and machine are already competitive. I think it will difficult to see again nine different winners because the level will be higher with Marquez, Lorenzo, Rossi, Vinales and Iannone able to make the difference. Also KTM did a very good debut. They start from a good base and now with two experienced riders like Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro they will progress quickly. We also have seen a very good progress of Aprilia throughout the 2016 season.”

This year Jorge Lorenzo struggled a lot with the tyres, especially in the wet and mixed conditions. How do you explain it?
“I think that it was not only due to the tyres. He has a smooth riding style, like Max Biaggi. He doesn’t like when the bike moves too much. If he doesn’t find the right setting he cannot push at the maximum.”

How do you see the riders on their 2017 machines?
“Vinales impressed topping the laptimes. The Suzuki and the Yamaha have the same philosophy in terms of chassis and this allowed Maverick to keep his riding style, maintaining his corner speed. I have seen well also Andrea Iannone. He switched from Ducati to Suzuki. His strong point is his skill to adapt quickly. He has an aggressive riding style and he is able to tame the bike, instead of being frightened by the machine.

“Lorenzo? He is a fast rider and he showed it already in this first test with Ducati. Marc Marquez is another ace. It doesn’t matter if he is struggling with the bike or the feeling with the tyre. He is able to make the difference and compensate the lack of grip or stability with his riding style. Regarding Valentino Rossi, he will be again a title contender. He is a perfectionist and he always gives the team the right information for the setup of the bike. He may struggle on Friday and Saturday but on the race day he has found the right set up. He remains the reference for his skill to set up the bike.”