Michelin Happy With New MotoGP Rules

Michelin Happy With New MotoGP Rules

New regulations aimed at maintaining competition between tyre manufacturers in the MotoGP World Championship have received the backing of Michelin. The rules, concerning tyres and testing, come into effect on January 1 2007 and the tyre regulations were formulated following discussions among the three tyre manufacturers involved in MotoGP.

Despite the fact that these represent the first restrictions to be introduced to Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Michelin welcomes their introduction. Says Nicolas Goubert, director of motorcycle racing: “We are happy with the new rules”. Bearing in mind Michelin’s recent refusal to submit a tender for a single tyre supply contract for Formula 1, Goubert makes it plain what Michelin’s attitude is towards competition, saying: “The tyre agreement is a very good agreement, especially if you look at what is happening in other major Motorsport championships, particularly in Formula One switching to a single tyre maker rule.”

“The most important aspect of the new rules is that they ensure we will be able to continue competing with other tyre companies. Carmelo Ezpeleta (CEO of Dorna, the MotoGP rights holders) played a major role in this, he asked the tyre companies to come up with a compromise that would be acceptable to all of us because he wanted different tyre brands to continue fighting on the racetrack.”

“The major motorcycle manufacturers also pushed hard to keep different tyre brands involved because they understand that the technology derived from MotoGP can be used on streetbikes, so this agreement is also very good for the end-user.”

“Once the objective to keep everyone involved was clear, the second most important point was to ensure that we don’t have too much cost inflation, because costs can escalate when you have major manufacturers competing in a highly prestigious series”