Michelin will add a new medium rear tyre to the Malaysian MotoGP allocation at Sepang. The choice remains in place even though the circuit resurfacing used as the basis for the original plan was never completed. This means the event will take place on the same asphalt used in 2025.

The previous soft rear stays in the Soft position, while last year’s Medium is assigned as this year’s Hard. The new Medium sits between those two specifications, giving riders three rear options. It also has a different construction: the new tyre is symmetric, whereas the other two use a reinforced right shoulder to handle the loads generated by Sepang’s numerous right-hand turns.

More room to tailor the race plan

The front allocation will consist of Soft and Medium compounds. Sepang’s asphalt can rise above 50 degrees Celsius, adding to the demands placed on tyre management. Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Competition Manager, describes the circuit as fast but particularly tough on tyres. Michelin also knows the track from regular testing as well as from the Grand Prix.

Taramasso says the new rear Medium was not originally intended for this surface, but was retained to give teams another tool. Last year every rider used the Soft rear in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, underlining how influential the allocation can be. Marc Márquez arrives at Sepang leading the world championship by ten points over injured rival Jorge Martín.