Wi💯th newly laid asphalt eroding during last year’s inaugural March event, there were seriouꩲs doubts about whether the Indonesian MotoGP race could go the distance.

But the arrival of monsoon rain proved a blessing in disguise as🧸 far as k🐠eeping the surface intact and, after 20 laps, KTM’s Miguel Oliveira claimed victory ahead of Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) and Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati).

Another round of surfacing was then needed to repair the damaged track, which is among the most challenging for tyꦫres due to its high speeds and ex🐽treme temperatures.

As such, ꦓMandalika joins a select group of circuits where Michelin brings a stiffer, heat-resistant rear tyre construction.

But that special construct🐭ion, brought to Mandalika after blistering issues in the 2022 pre-season test, caused ﷽unexpected (dry) grip problems for some manufacturers during last year’s race weekend.

Ducati and KTM appeared to take a step forward relative to the pre-season test. Yamaha and Aprilia performed roughly the same. But Suzuki and especially Honda struggled for rear grip and, relyiꦿng more on the front tyre to turn, suffere﷽d additional front overheating problems.

Could the cardsꦛ be shuffled yet again this🐈 weekend?

MotoGP has not conducted any testing on the latest surface ahead of the 2023 event, meaning Michelin must again c🍨hose its tyre selection based on previous dꦿata and experience.

“Mandalika is a very, ver♒y demanding track. We will find a new asphalt, again, without any test🎃s,” said Michelin’s Piero Taramasso.

“We did some test𝔉s before the asphalt was done, but we know it is a very demanding track where we can face very high temperatures, where the tyres are under stress because🌞 of the heat and track configuration.

“Let’s see how it will be this year.”