COTA Set for 12th MotoGP Showdown with Familiar Tyre Strategy

Both Moto2 and Moto3 riders will have access to the same standard compounds and quantities that were available at the Argentine GP, for the Austin GP.

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The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, prepares to host its twelfth MotoGP event this weekend, cementing its status as a cornerstone of the championship calendar since 2013. Pirelli has confirmed it will maintain the same tyre allocation used at the season-opening Argentine GP, offering standard production tyres in soft and medium compounds for Moto2 and Moto3.

Each rider will have access to eight slick tyres per compound (two front and two rear options) and five front/six rear wet tyres for rainy conditions. Last year’s COTA race saw Moto2 riders overwhelmingly choose the soft SC0 rear paired with medium SC2 fronts, while Moto3 competitors split their preferences between soft SC1 and medium SC2 rears, with the medium also dominating front tyre selections.

The 5.513km circuit continues to face unique challenges due to its clay-based foundation, which swells and contracts with seasonal moisture changes. Recent resurfacing work targeted the start/finish straight (T19-T2) and the 1.2km back straight (T11-T12) to address chronic bump issues.

“These repairs are now routine maintenance for COTA,” said Pirelli’s Motorcycle Racing Director Giorgio Barbier. “While cooler March temperatures compared to last year’s April race date might slightly increase wear, our standard production tyres proved their capability here in 2023 when they helped break lap records in both categories.”

With new circuit benchmarks already set in Qatar and Argentina this season, all eyes will be on whether riders can continue their record-breaking pace at COTA. The resurfaced sections should improve consistency, while Pirelli’s unchanged tyre allocation provides teams with proven performance data. However, unpredictable March weather could introduce additional strategic variables.

As MotoGP’s first American stop of 2025, COTA promises another compelling showcase of Pirelli’s road-to-race tyre philosophy, with the same rubber available to amateur riders worldwide now supporting world-class competition at one of the championship’s most technically demanding circuits. The event marks another chapter in COTA’s legacy as a favourite among riders and fans alike, combining the circuit’s unique layout with the unpredictability that has become its hallmark.