Edwards praises tyre

Colin Edwards was raving about the performance of Michelin’s new 16- inch front tyre in Sepang this week (January 2007).

The French tyre company is pushing all of its top riders to try the smaller diameter front.

This new tyre is designed to help with braking stability and corner speed on the new generation 800cc machines.

The Texas Tornado used the new front during a full 21-lap race simulation on the second day in Sepang.

He said: “Michelin has been playing with some different ideas but in my mind it’s nothing remotely like I had last year. It’s almost like a different brand of tyre.

“If you gave me the tyre I’m on now and the one I used last year I would say it wasn’t even the same manufacturer. 

“Whatever it is, it is friggin’ rock solid!”

Valentino Rossi, Dani Pedrosa and new world champion Nicky Hayden all tried the 16-inch front in Malaysia too.