05-09-2016, 02:00 AM
(05-08-2016, 11:24 AM)EmptySea_imp Wrote: I guess I'm not convinced that tire choice had much to do with the outcome. I see your point that Rossi had the right set up and rode within the parameters that the set up gave him, but I'm not at all sure that the other two didn't have the right set up for the race they were running. Marquez seemed to be getting locked in to his harder front when the crash happened and it happened well into the race. Dovizioso had, I guess, the same set up as Rossi and Lorenzo and he bought it, too. Obviously, lack of traction caused both crashes, but I'm not sure that each racer's tire choice was the determining factor in their crashes. Maybe, but seems more likely that they hit that little patch of replaced asphalt at a higher speed and/or with more lean angle than anyone else had in the field. Just not sure that the harder compound was making a huge difference in traction at that point in the race. I certainly don't know enough about the conditions on the track at race time to make a definitive statement that Rosdi made a better tire choice. Seriously doubt anyone reading this would, either, unless they were repeating a statement from the teams saying as much.If you had a Videopass and were following this closely you would know that tire choice is the most critical decision the rider and team can make. Otherwise they would just put everyone on the same tire.
Michelin supplies a new tire design almost every race event. Riders and teams have to assess the choices they are give and make the best decision. Those who do are usually rewarded.
The average race fan just does not understand the punishment that is doled out to tires and how critical even a difference of one half pound can make, along with the choice of carcase and compound.
Who is aware of the the catastrophic rear tire failures of the past few months? What kind of tire pressure do the teams run in the rear tires and what temperatures do they reach during the race? What temperatures are the tire warmers set to? Tire design is a very exacting science, no different than designing a wing for an airplane. Think of the tire as the wing, the planform and airfoil choice are critical. If a wing stalls, the plane may crash. A tire stalling is the same, it loses grip (lift). Dovi and Marquez showed this pretty dramatically.
http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/10/17/mot...der-skill/
http://www.sportrider.com/michelin-challenge-for-motogp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFnM8UsMH1s
http://www.gizmag.com/2016-motogp-tech/42617/