Michelin quits MotoGP Bridgestone becomes single tire supplier. Opinion on spec tire?
Hell for leather.
Michelin failed to tender a proposal to become MotoGP's single tire supplier for 2009, giving the contract to Bridgestone by default. The decision comes after a disastrous season for riders using Michelin tires, with Dani Pedrosa making the unprecedented decision to switch to Bridgestone mid-season. But why did Michelin decide not to enter the running and what does this mean for MotoGP racing?
Dorna's decision to implement a single tire rule came after disastrous performances by Michelin riders. While teams and riders were worried about competitiveness, Dorna was worried that the gap between the two tire makers was reducing the spectacle of racing, driving away viewers and costing the company money. With every team but Ducati opting for Bridgestones for the 2009 season, Michelin failed to live up to minimum number of bikes a tire maker is allowed to supply: 40%, thus prompting the single maker decision.
Dorna then issued a request for proposal from tire makers interested in becoming the single tire supplier. The deadline for that proposal was yesterday, with Bridgestone being the only company to respond.
Regarding its decision to not apply for the contract, Michelin says, "The MotoGP world championship organizers have decided to use a single tire supplier for the coming seasons, which effectively eliminates the competitive environment that has led to so much progress. The R&D resources allocated for MotoGP racing will be redeployed to support innovation, which is at the heart of Michelin's customer-focused strategy."
Despite leveling the playing field for riders next season, the single tire rule has come under much criticism. This is partially due to Dorna's lack of transparency, with boss Carmelo Ezpeleta insisting the rule was implemented for safety reasons, rather than the more obvious benefit of increasing spectacle for viewers. Competition among tire makers in MotoGP has traditionally been a development ground for new technology, which then trickled down to consumer products. A recent example of that development is dual compound tires, which were first developed by Michelin before being implemented in their commercial sportsbike tire range. It's widely believed that the process of development in MotoGP will be slowed by this decision.
On the other hand, the rule change removes a non rider-controlled variable from the racing equation, which could lead to increased competitiveness across the grid and make it possible for smaller teams to be more competitive as they'll now have equal access to the same tires as everyone else.
I have to admit that this was coming.
1st. Valentino broke contract at the end of 2007 to be on Bridestones for 08.
2nd. Dani Pedrosa swaped mid 2008 season.
3rd. Colin Edwards letting everyone know how much he's "not as good as the riders with the tire that starts with B"
Jeremy Burgess says he is opposed to change. It is bad for the sport as Motogp development is put on the street and this will limit that.
The main argument i have seen pop up from this is that fans dont cheer for tire brands and if the show improves, that is what is necessary to do.
I for one miss the days of 2003-2004 when the racing was fantastic. But back then, everyone was on Michelins except Tamada and a few others.
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