Pedrosa splits with Michelin
Added on Monday, September 1st, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Pedrosa splits with Michelin
Dani Pedrosa has sensationally split from Michelin for the remainder of the 2008 season, it was confirmed today.
Pedrosa, who made a strong start to the season, will use Bridgestone rubber for the remainder of the current MotoGP season, with Honda and Michelin terminating their agreement to supply tyres for the Spaniard.
The news comes after Pedrosa added his voice to the growing criticism of the French tyre manufacturer, most notably after the debacle in Brno two weeks ago although, despite speculation about a split between Pedrosa and Michelin, the news still comes as a surprise.
In a statement released on Monday, Michelin said: “For 24 years Michelin and Honda have worked together at the highest level of motorcycle racing. Together the two companies have won 14 premier-class World Championships.
“The two companies fully understand the importance of the “feeling” between the rider and the equipment he has at his disposal, especially tyres.
“Despite making an excellent start to the season and leading the World Championship going into the German GP, during the last few races Dani Pedrosa has made it know to both Michelin and Honda that he doesn’t feel at ease with the tyres that Michelin have offered him.
“Honda and Michelin believe that rider confidence needs to be at its maximum if the rider is to fully exploit the tactical potential of the tyres.
“In these circumstances Michelin and Honda have therefore decided not to equip Pedrosa with Michelin tyres for the remainder of the 2008 season.
Pedrosa was reported as saying: “I thank Michelin and Honda for their mutual understanding and for agreeing to my personal demands. I am very conscious of the fact that I have made some excessively negative comments about Michelin tyres, even though Michelin helped me make an exceptional start to the season.”
The statement continued: “Both Honda and Michelin hope that MotoGP World Championship will continue with a multi-tyre brand regulation in 2009, Michelin will equip one of the Repsol Honda’s two riders for the remainder of the 2008 season.”
It is believed that Pedrosa’s teammate Nicky Hayden will continue to use Michelin tyres for the remainder or the season.
