Pol Espargaro, KTM's 850cc prototype developer, has warned that MotoGP riders are "not aware of the change that is coming" in 2027, when a sweeping overhaul of technical rules takes effect. One of the biggest changes is the switch in tyre suppliers, with Pirelli replacing Michelin, fundamentally altering the championship's landscape.
In his testing role with KTM, the Spaniard has accumulated extensive mileage on the new Pirelli tyres, which have proven markedly different from the current Michelin rubber. "They are very different tyres. And I have the feeling that the riders are not really aware of the change that is coming," he said.
Espargaro recalled hearing Toprak Razgatlioglu compare the current tyres with the Pirellis he used in World Superbike, noting his discomfort with Michelins. "I experienced the switch from Bridgestone to Michelin and now the switch from Michelin to Pirelli, and the change is wild, much bigger than what we experienced with that change in 2016," he stated.
A Complete Change in Riding Style
Espargaro emphasized that the tyre difference is not a minor technical detail but a total shift in riding approach. "Back then, each supplier had some stronger points and some weaker ones, but the way of riding was very similar. Now, with the Pirellis, everything changes completely. The bike is another world," he explained.
He also referenced Moto2's 2024 experience, when Pirelli replaced Dunlop as the official tyre supplier. "In Moto2, when the tyre was changed, we could see that riders who were not performing started to perform, and other competitive riders disappeared. And I have no doubt that this is going to happen in MotoGP," he predicted.
The shift could also reshuffle the competitive order among manufacturers. "Another doubt I have is which bikes are going to be competitive. We already know that Ducati is going to be very fast, because it will be a slightly bigger SBK, and they know that category very well. The manufacturers coming from SBK will have a little bit of an advantage," he said.
Big Advantage for Moto2 and SBK Riders
But it is not only manufacturers who stand to gain. Riders from production-based classes, such as Razgatlioglu and expected VR46 signing Nicolo Bulega, could also start with an edge. "They are going to have a huge advantage, not only those coming from SBK, but also those from Moto2. And I think that is something the current MotoGP riders are not aware of," Espargaro said.
"I think the young riders coming up from Moto2 are going to have a very, very big advantage, and the rider coming from SBK, in this case Bulega, is going to be very fast – very fast. He is already fast in testing, but he will be fast from the beginning of the season," he added.
MotoGP riders will have very limited time to adapt to the Pirellis, with only a handful of opportunities during the two official tests scheduled during the season, plus the December test in Valencia. This has already sparked complaints from riders, but Espargaro insists the change is inevitable and must be faced head-on.
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