Bridgestones are over rated

i think that michelin were definately caught with their pants down last season. them losing the advantage of flyin in overnight hoops caught them out & they were struggling. i don't think they were as bad off as it was made out to be. as you pointed out they did finish 2nd & 3rd in the championship. but i remember a few races were bridgestone took the first 4 or 5 positions. that was something new i think & we were'nt use to seeing that at all. all the crap going on with rossi did'nt help their reputation either. it's still early but things are starting well for them & i think they've risen to the chalenge.

I think the people with perspective (I think you were included in that group, Tom) realized this last year.

There were several consecutive tracks during which Bridgestone runners had an easy go of it--many of them were resurfaced.

The only thing holding back Michelins last year was the god awful bikes they were attached to.

Honda and Yamaha have improved greatly, I suspect most fans will draw the conclusion that the Michelins are a big part of the improvement (even though they aren't).

Most people on Michelins have agreed that compared to last year this year's tires are much better. So, its just that the Michelin's have improved a lot more than Bridgestones may have. We have to keep in mind also, that have had a lot more adapting to do since they can;t use saturdy night specials. Brigestone never did.

Michelin has improved, but michelin did OK at Quatar and very well in Jerez last year. It wasn't untill they reached a track that hadn't been tested at that michelin started to really struggle. Just wait untill the 4th round (portugal is a michelin track aswell). I think bridgestone still has an advantage, it just wont be as big as last year.

Michelin won't know if they've improved until Laguna, Brno, and RSM. They had their lunch eaten there last year.

If it doesn't rain at LeMans or Donny this year Stoner may have a rough go early on. Turkey has been removed and he doesn't hit B-stone tracks until 3/4 of the way through the season. He needs to pray for rain.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (projekZERO @ Mar 28 2008, 09:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Michelin has improved, but michelin did OK at Quatar and very well in Jerez last year. It wasn't untill they reached a track that hadn't been tested at that michelin started to really struggle. Just wait untill the 4th round (portugal is a michelin track aswell). I think bridgestone still has an advantage, it just wont be as big as last year.
I agree that the qatar night race and jerez would be expected to suit michelin, but as mylexicon has persistently maintained unusual conditions last year with a number of resurfaced tracks and races with uncharacteristically hot temperatures may mean less tracks will favour bridgestone this year. I hope the bridgestones and michelins are going to be closely matched. It does appear that all the michelin runners are getting equivalent tyres now.

As far as Rossis decision to switch to Bridgestones is concerned surely it'll have alot to do with his experiences in 2006 (Laguna Seca and China) and 2007 (Turkey) of his Michelins falling apart as much as their relative race performance?

title should read "rossi is overrated"

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Mar 28 2008, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think the people with perspective (I think you were included in that group, Tom) realized this last year.

There were several consecutive tracks during which Bridgestone runners had an easy go of it--many of them were resurfaced.

The only thing holding back Michelins last year was the god awful bikes they were attached to.

Honda and Yamaha have improved greatly, I suspect most fans will draw the conclusion that the Michelins are a big part of the improvement (even though they aren't).

As an outsider I totally agree with your regarding the special conditions last year. Rain, drying up, resurfaced tracks and very hot wether are factors that made that year unusual.

Regarding Rossis choise I don't know. I would be happy if he stayed with michelin, but then again how can I question his choise. After all he makes an informed desition based on iformation I can only dream of having.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

It would seem so at the moment.