MotoGP: Colin Edwards doubts Michelin can reach Bridgestone level

Colin Edwards has cast doubt on Michelin’s capability to match the performance of rivals Bridgestone as the Texan continues to back plans for MotoGP to switch to a one-make tyre rule next season.

Edwards was one of the first riders to throw his weight behind a spec tyre proposal earlier this season, and he could now get his wish with MotoGP chief Carmelo Ezpeleta proposing a one-make trye rule for 2008 at last month’s Japanese GP.

Unless Michelin can convince Yamaha and Honda that increased investment and development for ’08 will see the French factory close the gap on Bridgestone, it seems inevitable that MotoGP will implement a one-make tyre rule on October 20 in Sepang, Malaysia.

The 33-year-old double World Superbike champion told MCN: “The biggest problem to me is that the jump they need to make, they have never made.

“I’ve been with Michelin 10 years and that big gap we need to make up, we’ve never ever done that in all my time with them.”

Edwards was initially sceptical about a one-make tyre rule when it was first introduced to World Superbikes in 2004.

But he said a switch to Pirelli had greatly benefited the series and he added: “ My feeling has always been the same. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s an absolute sham that companies are spending millions of dollars a year just to rely on if they’ve got the right tyre on.

“You sit there and do the maths and then look at guys like Dani (Pedrosa), Nicky (Hayden) and Valentino (Rossi) and me, we are all on Michelin and at times we’ve been struggling just to stay in the top ten.

“I’m not taking anything away from (Randy) de Puniet from various others, but make up you’re own conclusion.

“I’ve been with Michelin forever and I get on great with them, but at the moment you just have to look at the results.

“When World Superbikes went mono brand I thought it would destroy the series. But I think the racing is phenomenal.”