MotoGP: Nicky Hayden grateful for Michelin recovery

Former world champion Nicky Hayden has praised Michelin after the French factory continued its 2008 retaliation with victory in last weekend’s Spanish GP.

Hayden’s factory Honda team opted to stay on Michelin tyres for 2008 after receiving assurances that extra manpower and investment would be made to strike back against Bridgestone’s dominant campaign last year.

The early signs have been positive, with Michelin claiming four out of the six podium places in Qatar and Jerez, with Spaniard Dani Pedrosa the early season points leader after a win and a third place.

And 2006 MotoGP champion Hayden said: “Michelin have done a good job. It seems that they have upped their game, but we will see what happens when we go to a track that we haven’t done six days of testing on.

“But when we decided to stay with them they said we will do this and that and spend more money but saying it doesn’t mean much, you have got to do it and they struck true to their word and its good.”