Michelin tyres and the challenge of Phillip Island

"Phillip Island is a very big challenge, it puts more strain on the rear tyre than any other track we go to in MotoGP," says Michelin's chief of motorcycle competitions Nicolas Goubert. "So we have to devise specific tyres for this track that will ensure we don't have a tyre temperature problem. But whatever you do, you're always flirting with the limit at Phillip Island."

"The track is well known for producing great races, with a lot of riders together for a lot of laps. Last year Valentino and Sete (Gibernau, Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V-Michelin) had a very entertaining duel there, with very good tyre performance all the way to the end. We know that Loris (Capirossi, Ducati Marlboro Team) also really likes the track, he was fastest last year, taking a new lap record with our Michelin tyres on the last-but-one lap. As always we try to deliver consistent performance but this track is always tough, and we don't expect this to be an easy weekend because we guess our rivals recently tested at the track with their test team."

"We had some good tests with our 2005 rear slick at Phillip Island in February when Sete and Vale did a very fast race simulation, well inside last year's record. The different construction of this tyre increases footprint, which helps to increase the grip level .This track isn't so tough on front tyres."

"Of course, conditions will probably be much cooler compared to testing, so it's a case of adapting tyres to the conditions. At this time of year the weather can be quite changeable - it can be pretty warm or cold, windy and wet, so we have to create tyres that work over a good temperature range."