Michelin is taking its reinforced MotoGP casing to the Indonesian Grand Prix, where Mandalika combines intense heat, an abrasive surface and a fast layout. The choice addresses the circuit’s thermal and safety demands, but the construction generally gives up a small amount of grip compared with the standard option and can change the bike’s feel for some manufacturers.

That trade-off matters particularly to Ducati. Its factory GP25s struggled with the casing at Mandalika last year, while Fermín Aldeguer dominated on a GP24. Aprilia, by contrast, has made better use of the stiffer construction this season. Ducati’s wider record is not entirely negative: Marc Márquez came close to the podium in Thailand, showed podium pace in Austria and won in Japan on the corresponding hard tyre.

The casing assigned to Mandalika is the same as the one used in Thailand, and Michelin says the compounds are exactly the same as those used in 2025. Alex Márquez linked the Motegi result to the circuit’s new asphalt and relatively soft rubber. He also explained that Indonesia uses a different casing from Japan, with more edge grip than the tyre used in Austria.

Davide Tardozzi had already assessed the Indonesian race as a difficult one for Ducati while in Japan. Marc Márquez is taking a more attacking approach: he intends to push at every circuit, feels somewhat better and says the bike has been set up differently. He nevertheless accepts that Mandalika appears to suit Aprilia and its riders more closely.