Last weekend’s MotoGP of Valencia not only concluded the 2023 season – it also marked the end of the Dunlop era in this motorsport event. The tyre brand, which locally is part of Goodyear, has been represented in Grand Prix racing since 1949. Despite its departure, Dunlop has reaffirmed its “commitment to top-level and world championship motorcycle motorsport,” which remains a “key component of the brand’s DNA.”
Pirelli has signed up to supply tyres exclusively to the Moto2 and Moto3 classes in 2024-26, replacing long-term supplier Dunlop. Pirelli calls the series “the strongest feeder classes in global motorsport.” The new three-year agreement is being finalised, with Pirelli set to become an integral part of the lightweight and intermediate classes of Grand Prix racing, adding to its portfolio of apex motorsport series supply deals. It will also supply various feeder series, known collectively as The Road to MotoGP. In global two-wheel racing, Pirelli is long-term exclusive tyre supplier to all classes of the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship. Pirelli will supply its Diablo Superbike slick tyres to both classes, following its strategy of closely aligning its racing and consumer products.
As the 2022 FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships get underway this weekend, Dunlop respectively begins its 13th and 11th consecutive years as exclusive tyre supplier. In preparation for the packed schedule ahead, Dunlop recently tested new tyres during the official pre-season test held at Portugal’s Algarve circuit on 19-21 February.
The FIM Moto2 World Championship’s teams will be able to test Dunlop’s new soft rear tyre during practice and qualifying at Jerez this weekend. Dunlop says the in-event test will help new riders and teams get accustomed to the softer end of the Dunlop Moto2 range, which hasn’t been used since last October’s Teruel Grand Prix. It will also provide Dunlop with data on how the Jerez surface has evolved since its resurfacing in 2018.
The FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships will continue racing on Dunlop tyres for at least another three years following the extension of Dunlop’s contract with Dorna Sports. This means that Dunlop, who has partnered with Grand Prix motorcycle racing since its inauguration in 1949, will exclusively supply the two classes until at least the end of the 2023 season.
The German motor oil and additive producer Liqui Moly will remain the exclusive lubricant supplier for the Moto2 and Moto3 motorcycle racing series until 2023. What is more, the company also secured the naming rights for the Aragon Grand Prix at short notice. It will be held from 23 to 25 October under the name Gran Premio Liqui Moly de Teruel.
To meet the power and torque upgrade of the 2019 Triumph powered Moto2 bike, perennial tyre supplier Dunlop has phased in the introduction of its new, larger rear tyre. The manufacturer stated that it supplied the 2018 tyre in the opening races of the year to allow teams to adapt to the new engine. With the season’s arrival in Europe at the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, Dunlop will introduce the 200/75R17 rear tyre, replacing the previous 195/75R17 tyre.
This coming weekend marks the start of this year’s FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships. The 19-round season begins in Qatar and continues through to a concluding round in Valencia, Spain in November. For Dunlop, this is its tenth season in Moto2 – the tyre maker has served as official tyre partner since the championship’s inception. Dunlop says it was chosen for this role after becoming the most successful tyre in the open-competition 250GP class that preceded it.
Britain’s round of the FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships take place at Silverstone’s GoPro British Grand Prix over the weekend of 24-26 August. The event marks the first appearance of the British Talent Cup (BTC) alongside the World Championships, supported by Dunlop tyres. The manufacturer states that it is using the BTC to support young talent coming up through the ranks by giving them the tyre knowledge and skills they need to progress. It aims to provide a pathway to MotoGP for British riders.
The UK round of the FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships takes place at Silverstone’s GoPro British Grand Prix over the weekend of 24-26 August. The event marks the first appearance of the British Talent Cup alongside the World Championships.
Since the Moto2 category of the F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship was launched in 2010, it has known only one tyre supplier. The same applies to the Moto3 class, which began in 2012 – both have run solely on Dunlop tyres since their inauguration. This status as official tyre supplier for both classes – which form an integral part of MotoGP race weekends – has now been extended to cover the 2018 to 2020 seasons. In addition to remaining as tyre supplier, Dunlop will also continue to promote its #ForeverForward Award.
The most prolific overtaker in FIM Moto2 and Moto3 this year is Andrea Migno. The winner of the Moto3 Italian Grand Prix in June has thus been crowned
the 2017 Dunlop Forever Forward Champion after topping #ForeverForward league.
The FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships head to Silverstone, Northamptonshire for round 12, which takes place over the weekend of 26 and 27 August. Tyre supplier Dunlop states that the cooler and normally windy conditions at Silverstone have prompted the use of the harder rear tyre options across both championships, while the single option Moto2-2 front, with its operating window of around 10-35 degrees ambient, is designed to cover all outcomes.
Dunlop continues its support as tyre supplier for the 2017 FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships on their tour of the Americas, with round two at the Autodromo Termas Rio de Hondo, Argentina on 9 April and the Circuit of the Americas, Texas on 23 April. Two weeks later the Dunlop-shod machines embark on their first race appearance of the year in Europe, at Jerez, Spain on 7 May. The tyre supplier will continue to record overtakes for its 2017 #ForeverForward award.
Philipp Oettl has won the award for the most positions gained during a race throughout the season taking the first ever Dunlop #ForeverForward title. The league is open to all riders in the FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships. During the 18 races, the 19 year old German Moto3 rider gained 132 positions. Livio Loi […]
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