Tyre choice dilemma in Argentina

The Motul Grand Prix in Argentina provided us with an implausible scenario and a background story based on the tricky choice of opting for slicks or wet tyres a few minutes before the start. The track was drying but it could rain again at any moment – so which ones?

The red and white logos were everywhere on the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit for the first of the season’s four grands prix whose title sponsor is the international specialist in the field of high-performance lubricants. On Sunday, just when the riders had to leave the pit lane to go to the starting grid, everybody was faced with the dilemma of which tyres to choose. First of all, opting for slicks for a dry track looked to be a real gamble and Jack Miller was the only one to shod this type of rubber. The previous day his gamble on slicks at the end of qualifying had helped him clinch pole position. As he wasn’t a potential title candidate - why not? The odd thing was that several riders could have taken the same decision without the risk of losing, like Miller, the advantage of pole position.

On this subject, it’s funny to see that often in the history of bike or car racing the favourites convinced that they have everything to lose by taking risks in a similar situation, have opted for a conservative choice – and proved themselves wrong!

But in Argentina Miller wasn’t able to enjoy the fruits of his winning bet to the full. His rivals quickly realised they had blundered, and the mechanics were told to push their bikes to the pits for a wheel change. So in order to avoid a lot of pushing and shoving at the pitlane exit, the whole field was allowed to start the race on the grid – five rows behind the Australian on pole!

Luckily, once the race got under way it was a thriller on a mostly-dry track that still had quite a few tramps. Behind Cal Crutchlow, who scored a last-gasp victory, Johan Zarco and Alex Rins, who were on the ragged edge throughout, gave the Motul colours and technology podium finishes!

Motul was the title partner of the Grand Prix of Argentina. MotoGP teams Monster Yamaha Tech3, Suzuki, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini and Reale Avintia Racing are Motul’s technical partners at the pinnacle of Motorcycle Racing.

The red and white logos were everywhere on the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit for the first of the season’s four grands prix whose title sponsor is the international specialist in the field of high-performance lubricants. On Sunday, just when the riders had to leave the pit lane to go to the starting grid, everybody was faced with the dilemma of which tyres to choose. First of all, opting for slicks for a dry track looked to be a real gamble and Jack Miller was the only one to shod this type of rubber. The previous day his gamble on slicks at the end of qualifying had helped him clinch pole position. As he wasn’t a potential title candidate - why not? The odd thing was that several riders could have taken the same decision without the risk of losing, like Miller, the advantage of pole position. 

On this subject, it’s funny to see that often in the history of bike or car racing the favourites convinced that they have everything to lose by taking risks in a similar situation, have opted for a conservative choice – and proved themselves right! 

But in Argentina Miller wasn’t able to enjoy the fruits of his winning bet to the full. His rivals quickly realised they had blundered, and the mechanics were told to push their bikes to the pits for a wheel change. So in order to avoid a lot of pushing and shoving at the pitlane exit, the whole field was allowed to start the race on the grid – five rows behind the Australian on pole! 

Luckily, once the race got under way it was a thriller on a mostly-dry track that still had quite a few tramps. Behind Cal Crutchlow, who scored a last-gasp victory, Johan Zarco and Alex Rins, who were on the ragged edge throughout, gave the Motul colours and technology podium finishes!