MotoGP Sepang test: Michelin increase 16-inch rear tyre development

Michelin has stepped up development of its 16-inch rear tyre in a bid to retaliate against rivals Bridgestone in 2008.

The new spec tyre was raced towards the end of a tough 2007 campaign, but the French factory has increased its development in the opening four winter tests ahead of the new season that gets underway in Qatar on March 9, 2008.

The 16-inch tyre has a bigger contact patch and Michelin believe its increased edge grip will be key with the higher corner speeds generated by the 800cc machines.

Michelin boss Jean-Philippe Weber said: “The 16-inch will be the main direction of development for us at most of the tests.

“We are just working to find out of if the riders like it but our target is to develop the 16-inch rear tyre.”

Colin Edwards has spent a lot of time developing the latest generation 16-inch tyres, but as yet he is more consistently faster on the tried and trusted 16.5-inch rear.

Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden is also continuing work on the new generation 16-inch rear tyres in Sepang this week.