Michelin Committed to MotoGP

Michelin’s participation in the 2008 MotoGP championship looks assured following reports of Yamaha’s decision to not change the brand of rubber used by Valentino Rossi. The move confirms what Michelin motorsport director, Frédéric Henry-Biabaud, told Tyres & Accessories during an exclusive interview at the weekend.

When asked whether Michelin was planning to walk away from MotoGP, Henry-Biabaud flatly denied reports of this nature. On the contrary, he explained, Michelin is committed to providing a top quality service to its teams in this series, and has actually gone as far as diverting resources from its former Formula One budget into making the very best two-wheel competition tyres.

Mr Henry-Biabaud’s comments concur with reports that Yamaha’s decision was taken before Rossi’s victory in the Estoril MotoGP in Portugal on September 16.

Michelin director of motorcycle racing, Jean-Philippe Weber, said that Yamaha needed very little convincing to stick with Michelin. “I spoke to Yamaha only a few days ago,” he commented. “We still have to give them some more information and more details about our reaction plan.”

The plans of Repsol Honda, whose contract with Michelin is also up for renewal at the moment, are as yet uncertain, however Weber remains confident that a new contract will be finalised in the near future.