All posts tagged michelin
Bridgestone to stay with MotoGP for another 3 years
Despite rumors of Pirelli thinking of supplying tires to MotoGP and Michelin was thinking of a shock return in 2012, with Bridgestone thinking of cutting back their involvement in the series, the Japanese tire manufacturer has confirmed that it has extended its deal to supply tires to MotoGP teams until 2014.
Bridgestone has supplied control tires to the series since 2009, when almost the majority of the riders voted to have the single tire rule implemented after the raging tire debate that ensued during the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
“I am proud that we are able to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to MotoGP by extending our participation as ‘official tyre supplier’ to the premier class with a new three-year deal,” said Mikio Masunaga, VP for Bridgestone Motorsports. “Bridgestone has a very rich heritage in the leading motorsport categories across the world, and MotoGP represents a significant part of this heritage.”
While Dorna’s CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said, “I am very pleased that we can continue to work closely with Bridgestone for another three years after this season, and I would like to thank them for their continued commitment to MotoGP. Bridgestone has a great track record in all forms of motorsport, in particular MotoGP, and has done a great job since they were appointed the championship’s first ever ‘official tyre supplier’ so we all know they are up to the task this season and over the following three years. Their ongoing commitment at this early point is important in allowing us all to plan for the future, especially for the teams as they are already underway with their development plans for next year and the new 1000cc era, and I believe it also demonstrates the value of MotoGP as a business platform.”
Michelin to return to MotoGP in 2012?
According to British website MCN, French tire manufacturer may want to return to MotoGP in 2012 and end the single tire rule that was implemented in 2009.
This rumor may be coming on the wave that Bridgestone’s contract as sole supplier to MotoGP is up at the end of 2011 and there have been talks that the Japanese company wants to cut back their involvement in racing and would welcome competition, despite worries that costs could escalate again, in research and development, which both companies want to avoid like the plague.
Another aspect would be how teams and most of all the riders take the return of a tire war. Valentino Rossi in a recent interview, reportedly said he wouldn’t mind another manufacturer, but he may be talking of Pirelli’s supposed interest in the series.
And would any team request the French brand and take the risk, especially with the championship returning to the 1000cc in 2012 and development already begun and incur in the wrath of their riders who voted for the single tire rule after Michelin’s big time fiascos in 2007 and 2008?
Source | mcn.com
3 Year Deal for Bridgestone
Bridgestone has now officially become the MotoGP tire supplier with a contract for the next three years (2009-2011) after signing a deal with commercial rights holders Dorna Sports.
Bridgestone was the only company to submit a proposal when Michelin failed to tender a proposal to become MotoGP’s single tire supplier for 2009, giving the contract to Bridgestone by default.
“In these turbulent times of economic crisis, Bridgestone is delighted to be working positively with Dorna to make an exciting contribution to MotoGP,´ said Bridgestone Motorosport Director Hiroshi Yasukawa of the announcement. `We are dedicated to our support of MotoGP and being chosen as the official tyre supplier shows the high regard in which we are held by the sport in which we have been involved since 2002. Our participation in MotoGP is an important element of our position as the foremost tyre supplier in motorsport.´
The biggest drivable motorbike
If you happen to visit the upcoming Motor Show fair in Essen, Germany you can see this big drivable motorbike. The fair will open from November 29th until December 7th.
This mega-bike was made by Gregory Dunham from the US, Stockton California, and measures 3.429 meters tall to the top of handlebars, 6.187 meters long and the weight of this bike 2.948 tonnes. Is powered by a 8.2 Litre V8 engine. The tyres are 1.88 meters tall, we don’t know if the brand is Bridgestone or Michelin? If you were looking for a hefty snow-bike… Picture by AP Photo/Frank Augstein.
Source | motorbiker
Video: Michelin thanks MotoGP across the years
Through this commercial TV spot, Michelin thanks all the riders and teams who trusted the tyre manufacturer during 36 years of MotoGP championships. It was broadcast on Eurosport during the last MotoGP round in Valencia. It was the last round for this year but also the last round for Michelin after the new tyre regulation for the championship in 2009. All riders will get Bridgestones tyres on their wheels next year.
It’s a huge list of riders starting with Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, Garry McCoy, and so many other riders from today and the past. The slogan at the end “Michelin will never give up” shows what a historic moment this is for the brand, in losing it’s exclusive MotoGP supplier contract.
Michelin boss talks about the single tyre rule
Michelin boss Jean-Phillippe Weber has given his idea about the safety and the single tyre rule in MotoGP. Weber is thinking it will not change much.
About the new coming changes he has said: “I don’t think it will change much. The racing will not be closer and there will be different problems. You need to have a broad range of tyres. If you only have hard tyres then the riders who can only use soft tyres are going to have problems.If you have a narrow range of products either way, it could be difficult for the races. MotoGP is an area where competition between tyre companies is a big part of the sport.”
Weber is also clear about the discussion on safety and corner speed, believing that bikes riding two seconds slower are still crashing at a high and dangerous speed and the development and research will catch up.
Weber said that Michelin’s philosophy has always been to develop products in competition: “We don’t regret anything because I think a mono tyre came out not only because of the tyre manufacturers. The teams and the riders played a big part and I’m not surprised it has gone in this direction when you see that every other major motor sport championship in two and four wheels has switched to a mono brand.”
source | mcn
MotoGP Motegi: Rossi and Stoner's feelings.
Valentino Rossi was fast last year riding his bike with Michelin tyres on the Motegi track. But today Valentino is riding with Bridgestone. And he’s eager to see the results with his new tyres. Rossi could clinch his first MotoGP World Championship with Bridgestone tyres this Sunday!
“We will have to see about the performance between Bridgestone and Michelin,” Rossi said in the pre-event press conference. “Motegi has always been a great one for Bridgestone in the past, but last year myself and Dani Pedrosa were a bit faster than the Bridgestone riders.”
Casey Stoner also has mixed feelings about his results at Motegi, some are good and some bad. But Casey wants to look to the future with his Desmosedici, and not the past.
He said: “The track has always given me the impression that it is more suited to cars than bikes because it is full of hard breaking and acceleration zones and there aren’t many flowing sections. Anyway, it is a fun track and I think it can be good for our bikes and tyres.” And about his possibility for undergoing surgery he said: “The wrist hasn’t given me great problems over the last week and seems to be improving on the last couple of weeks so I can’t wait to get back on the bike and try to get a better result than we’ve managed lately.”
Source| MotoGP
MotoGP 2009: association with Michelin finished?
After the meetings about safety in MotoGP and the tyre problems from some teams, a rumour has emerged about a renewed tyre regulation for next year in MotoGP. It might be the end of the association with Michelin as could be confirmed soon at the Grand Prix Commission later this month.
It all started with the discussion about cornerspeed. According to MCN most of the riders would prefer to switch back to 990cc four-strokes engines to reduce cornerspeed. But according to Dorna boss Ezpeleta this is completely impossible. Although Michelin will bid for the contract, the overwhelming support for Bridgestone will tip the balance for the Japanese company. With Bridgestone, Rossi and Stoner will be relieved.
Repsol Honda in "split garage" with tyre choice
Repsol Honda have announced that they will ride the next MotoGP in split garage. Dani Pedrosa using Bridgestone tyres and teammate Nicky Hayden on Michelin.
It all started during the Brno Grand Prix with grip problems and complaints about a “powerlessness” feeling on the bike. After talks with HRC President Masumi Hamane and the team sponsors by Dani, the decision came to switch tyre manufacturer for Dani.
Repsol Sporting Sponsering Director Arturo Sus commented:
“On behalf of Repsol, we’d like to thank Michelin for their understanding of the situation and the way that they handled it. Having said this, our role as the main sponsor of the Repsol Honda team is to push the team, factory and even the rider when we think we have to push to get results we expect to get from our investment in racing.
“For Repsol it was not good enough and we decided to push Honda to do anything to get Bridgestone. It was not easy for us, Honda and Michelin of course. A decision like this implies some other movements and we thought it was the right thing to do. We talked to Michelin after Brno to agree on the fact it was the best decision for everybody”.
Via | MotoGP
James Toseland blames tyres
James Toseland is blaming his tyres on a last disappointing round. He said: “We have six rounds left and there is still a lot can happen. We can’t be finishing at the back because at the start of the season my team-mate Colin Edwards was finishing on the podium. This is nothing other than a tyre problem. Unfortunately it’s out of my hands and to say it’s frustrating is an understatement.”
For Michelin it will be also an important race after the meeting organised by Dorna and all the riders questions. But Misano isn’t demanding on tyres. It’s a tight and twisting circuit with many medium to low speed corners.
Via | crash
MotoGP: corner speed on the agenda
Are we going to a MotoGP with one single tyre brand like World Superbike? All present MotoGP riders came together last Saturday just before the Brno race day for a meeting, chaired by Dorna’s CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta with one single subject: corner speed.
Tech 3 Yamaha rider and collaborator with Michelin, Colin Edwards giving his opinion, said: “There are a couple of issues; we’ve got bikes reaching the safety road now and that’s because of the corner speed. Tyre development has outgrown the tracks that we use.” He also said: “We need to engineer something for better safety and also for a better show. I’m all for making it a bigger spectacle, but two guys out in front with a twelve second lead after six laps? It’s a joke to me.”
What will be the good solution to solve this corner speed problem and bring more safety for the rider at MotoGP? Again some technical changes to the bikes to reduce top speed and corner speed? Or only one singe tyre brand? And what about world’s best engineers and technicals?
Via | MotoGP
MotoGP: Champions Nursery by Michelin
This is a great promotion video from Michelin with “mini-riders” MotoGP from the French company: Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso, Colin Edwards, James Toseland and Nicky Hayden.
via | Oliepeil
Follow us
Most commented posts
Advertising
Are you interested in advertising on twowheelsblog?
Advertise on Blogo.it.
twowheelsblog is part of the Blogo.it network of blogs. Contacts About us.
© 2005-2010 Blogo.it, P. IVA 04699900967, some rights reserved under a Creative Commons license.