Michelin admits early complacency

Valentino Rossi's win at Mugello on Sunday was only the second for a Michelin-shod bike this season, with Bridgestone generally believed to have been a step ahead in the opening rounds.

But Weber says Michelin has worked hard to make up for its poor start and that Mugello proved it has made good progress.

"Maybe at the beginning our attitude was too relaxed," Weber told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Then we built a new family of tyres, more rigid, borne from the tight relationship we have with Valentino.

"We are satisfied with the front tyres because the riders, except (Nicky) Hayden, have a good feeling with them. The new rears can be the right solution on tracks with aggressive asphalt like Mugello."

He added that Michelin was now working on a new 16-inch rear tyre design.

"In the tests in France we used some new 16-inch rears. During the Mugello weekend they were used by (Colin) Edwards," Weber said. "They could be ready for the second half of the season."