French tyre manufacturer Michelin is to pull out of MotoGP after motorcycling’s world governing body decided to use a single tyre supplier for the championship from 2009.
The International Motorcycle Federation (FIM) said last month it would allow just a single tyre manufacturer in the premier MotoGP class from next year and expected expressions of interest to be lodged by Oct. 3 at the Australian race at Phillip Island.
Bridgestone’s current competitors in the premier class, Michelin, did not submit a proposal as confirmed by a press release from the French tyre company themselves on Saturday.
Hiroshi Yamada, Bridgestone’s Motorcycle Sport Unit Manager, commented, “We submitted our proposal yesterday and we have heard that Michelin didn’t apply. At the moment they have not decided yet which company will supply the tyres for next year, but as we are the only manufacturer (to propose) there is a very high possibility that we will be the supplier for next year”.
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