Why won't Michelin introduce a new tire in 2026?

In Assen, Michelin announced its decision not to use its new front tire in 2026. Since the brand has learned of its withdrawal from the MotoGP At the end of the next official season, it had to bounce back and change its strategy. In this context, the exclusive manufacturer of the discipline since 2016, has given up offering teams the technology it had developed, in view of what will be its last campaign in MotoGP.

"After the last test in Aragon, we had time to analyze all the results, Piero Taramasso announced on this subject during a press briefing organized on Friday morning in Assen. "Taking into account what will happen in the future, and the fact that we will leave the MotoGP championship at the end of 2026, we have decided not to introduce the new generation of front tires in MotoGP. We have spoken with the riders, with the teams, and I think it is the best solution. We have also spoken with Dorna, and we made the decision together."

Michelin's decision is based on several technical and strategic reasons, all linked to the future technical revolution of the championship, planned for 2027, and the withdrawal of the French manufacturer from the discipline, at the same time.

A useless investment for Michelin

First, the new front tire had to be developed using a similar method to the rear tire, namely 3D printing. Adapting the entire industrial process for a single season would have represented an investment deemed unnecessary, both in time and resources, for a ultimately very limited benefit.

Michelin therefore felt it was not appropriate to disrupt its entire organization for a product that would only be used for a single year. Especially since the factory set up to manufacture this tire, designed for MotoGP, could not have been used for the development of tires in other categories. The machines in Superbike and MotoGP are too different, to use this example alone.

The original plan was to introduce this new front tire in 2026 so that teams could develop their bikes based on its characteristics for the 2027 season, with a suitable setup base. However, with Michelin announcing its withdrawal from MotoGP at the end of the 2026 season, this goal has become meaningless. It was no longer necessary to provide a new product to prepare for a transition that ultimately did not take place with the French manufacturer.

"I think the best thing for us, for the championship, for everyone, is to end our commitment with the current front tire model, continues the Italian. If teams stick with the current model, they know how they work. They know how they react. It may not be perfect, but they know that in this situation, the tire will react like this, or like that. So they are prepared. Generally, what teams ask you is not to change anything.

© Michelin Motorsports

The choice of stability

Feedback from the field also weighed in. "A small majority of teams" were not in favor of introducing the new tire, preferring to stick with the current model to ensure stable settings and performance. The teams emphasized the importance of continuity, especially in a context where every technical decision could have an impact on the performance of the machines in 2027, during the major revolution in the category.

The tests conducted, particularly in Aragon, provided sufficient information to assess the potential of the new front tire. However, an additional year of data collection would not have added value for Michelin.

The design of tires for Superbike, for which the manufacturer will become the exclusive supplier in 2027, is very different. Superbike bikes have different characteristics and requirements than MotoGP, making the data collected in MotoGP difficult to transfer. The technology developed by Michelin is not lost, however, and will soon be adapted to the tires of other categories with which the brand works, as we received confirmation at Assen.

"On the one hand, it's a shame. Many drivers like it, others less so, but everyone felt there was good potential in this tire. But either way, at the end of next season, we'll move on to other championships. We'll definitely use this technology. We'll inspire future tires from this one, from this concept." concludes the manager of Michelin's two-wheel competition.

A page is therefore turning for Michelin in MotoGP, but the French manufacturer is already preparing for the future, with the ambition of transferring its expertise and innovations there.

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