MotoGP drops Michelin's new intermediate tyre for 2017

Michelin introduced the new tyre to the championship in 2016, as part of its return as MotoGP's sole tyre supplier.

But intermediates were used only sparingly, with riders generally deeming it safer to use wet tyres or switch directly to slicks in changeable conditions.

Discussions about dropping the inter took place late in the season, and were confirmed during a meeting of the Grand Prix Commission in Madrid earlier this month.

"During the course of the year we realised that our offer of medium rain tyres could last quite easily on drying track or completely dry tracks," Michelin's Nicolas Goubert said of intermediates during November's Valencia season finale.

"A couple of times, exactly at the same time, we had people on the track with slicks, rain, and intermediate tyres, and using the tyres for a few laps without any trouble.

"When we first brought [intermediates] at the request from Dorna a lot of riders or teams were not really in favour of that, so now we've proved they could go out on any dry track with rain tyres, maybe there's no need [for inters]."

Among the other Commission decisions, penalties for pitlane speeding will change.

The flat €150 fine per offence has been increased to €200, with the scope for increased penalties for repeat offences.

A new 'Appeal Stewards' layer has also been added to the disciplinary system, with two permanent stewards to rule on appeals during grands prix, replacing the need to use the FIM Court of Appeal, a process that took up to four days.