Michelin Appoints New Director of Motorcycle Racing

Michelin has named Jean-Philippe Weber as director of its motorcycle racing activities. Weber will replace Nicolas Goubert at the end of the 2006 MotoGP season. The appointment comes as MotoGP switches to 800cc machines for the 2007 World Championship. “I am happy, honoured and humble to take over from Nicolas,” says Weber, whose background is in chemical engineering. Goubert, who has been with Michelin since 1988 and has run its motorcycle racing activities since 1997, will continue at Michelin into a position to be announced shortly.

Weber, a keen street and off-road rider, began working on Michelin motorcycle race tyres in 2001, focusing on MotoGP, Superbike and Supermotard. As a well-qualified chemist (with a doctorate in organic chemistry), his initial involvement was with compounds, though he soon began working on all aspects of tyre development. His new job takes him from behind the scenes to a new position in the public eye.

“This is my dream job because motorcycles are my life,” Weber adds. “I own several streetbikes and dirt bikes but if I had 200 motorcycles I would still want some more!”