MotoGP: Mandatory practice laps on hard rear tyre

MotoGP organisers Dorna have confirmed that this year’s field will be forced to complete five timed laps on Michelin’s hard rear tyre during today’s practice sessions at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit or face severe repercussions.

The firm are looking to gather data on the lifespan of the harder option, prompting the move to make it mandatory. If riders do not complete the five flying laps, they’ll face a six-place penalty on the grid for Sunday’s race.

The decision comes after Scott Redding’s incident in last year’s race when an explosive delamination of his rear tyre in ultra-hot track conditions forced race control to bring in a mandatory pit stop during Sunday’s race to switch tyres.

Free practice gets underway a 0955 local time (1355 UK time), with the second session at 1405 (1805).