Michelin upbeat after Jerez test

With the French tyre manufacturer keen to make amends after seeing rivals Bridgestone help Ducati to the MotoGP championship this year, no effort has been spared to make sure the post-season tests of 2007 are as productive as ever.

And with Michelin trying out new compounds, constructions and further development of the 16-inch front tyre, the company's director of motorcycle racing Jean-Philippe Weber is happy with how progress has gone.

"We brought a lot of new tyres to Jerez because this test was so crucial - the data we got here is vital because it helps us to keep working during the winter break," he said. "We tried new constructions, new compounds, new fronts and new rears, both 16.5 inch and 16 inch.

"We tried a new front construction that gives our riders better contact feeling and improved handling. We also tried new rears, working at increasing edge grip and traction in order to improve overall performance.

"We made some major forward steps on rear construction and we also tried some new compounds with this new construction.

"Dani (Pedrosa) worked with the 16 rear as well as the 16.5 rear and now believes the 16 has very good potential, though Nicky (Hayden) is still the most enthusiastic about this tyre. Dani said the 16 has got great traction, though he wants us to work some more on stability. He is very keen to try the tyre again at Sepang in January.

"Dani also told us that we have improved tyre warm-up, which is good news, so we will try these tyres again at Sepang, with higher track temperatures, and test their consistency."

Despite the optimism, Pedrosa believes there is still plenty of work needed if they are to start the season in the best possible shape.

"At this test we have had some good material from Michelin, so we've been able to make quite a lot of progress," he explained. "Now the engineers must continue working to improve the machine and the tyres so we will have the best possible package for next year.

"Michelin are putting in a great effort. For sure they are as determined as we are to be totally competitive from the first race of 2008.

"It's a two-way process and we must work together - we give Michelin all the information they need for their development and in return they will bring us the tyre performance we require. I'm confident that both Michelin and Honda have the skill and the desire to make this happen."