Who could have ever predicted that in 2025 there would be Grand Prix races where the results depend on a rider maintaining an arbitrary tire pressure in the machine's front Michelin tire? Tire pressure — the most benign element of motorcycle racing — cost Maverick his day of glory.

Maverick Viñales' fine podium finish, after riding his heart out in the Qatar MotoGP race yesterday, saw him boat-anchored over ten seconds after the race, making his incredible third-place finish now a, yes, 14th.

MotoGP does so much to encourage its fans to be passionate about the prototype class — and then takes a 12-gauge and blows both of its feet off after the best race of the 2025 season so far. Fan reaction has been, as you might imagine, vitriolic.

It’s a dark day for MotoGP, and for Michelin.