Rossi: Michelin faster over single lap

The former champion has switched from Michelin to its Japanese rival and experienced Bridgestone's tyres for the first time in testing at Jerez this week.

While his initial impressions were positive, after his second day of testing Rossi highlighted some areas where he thought Bridgestone could improve.

"The Michelins are still better over a single lap. The problem with the Bridgestones, at least as far as the Yamaha is concerned, is that they are too soft," Rossi told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The Japanese probably expected colder temperatures. Having said that, it seems to me like they suit the M1 well.

"I've also done a long run and the lap times are on average similar to the ones set in the race. There is room for improvement especially at the maximum leaning angle."

Rossi suspects that cold Bridgestones played a part in Casey Stoner's crash yesterday. The Australian had to pull out of the final day of testing after injuring his left shoulder in the accident.

"Personally I look for more grip, but at the moment I've only tried out the 2007 tyres, while as far as I know Stoner has started testing the 2008 ones too," Rossi said. "In fact, it seems like he has crashed while using a new tyre that probably wasn't yet up to temperature."

Rossi controversially ended his long relationship with Michelin to switch to Bridgestones for next year, having been dissatisfied with the French tyres' performance during 2007.

But the deal only covers Rossi's bike, and his Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo teammate and the satellite Tech 3 Yamaha team will all use Michelins next year.