With the MotoGP testing just ended at Jerez, one thing becomes clear. The qualifying tires brought to the test by Michelin are better than the Bridgestone qualifying tires. Big deal? If you were following MotoGP last year, it is a big deal that Michelin tires outperform Bridgestones in any circumstances.
Race rubber (as opposed to qualifying tires) may be different, but Michelin may be close to parity with Bridgestone there, as well.
One rider that purposely switched from Michelin to Bridgestone tires this year due to frustration with the performance of Michelins last year, is Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi. Rossi seems happy with his Bridgestone race tires, but concedes that Michelin has the edge with qualifiers.
The teams are scrambling to prepare for the opening round of the MotoGP series at Losail, Qatar on March 9, 2008. Nicky Hayden’s teammate Dani Pedrosa is struggling with a hand injury. He rode at Jerez, but did not post competitive lap times.
