In 2009, Michelin Will Take on New Challenges in Motorcycle Speedway Racing

Michelin has announced its participation in three motorcycle speedway racing competitions in 2009. It will take part in the Endurance World Championship as well as in national speed championships in Spain and Italy.

This year, Michelin will provide tires for the Yamaha Austria Racing Team, which finished second over all in the six-race 2008 Endurance World Championship. The partnership will enable Michelin to measures its tires against its competitors’ products.

While comparing its technological innovations against those of its rivals is Michelin’s main reason for taking part in the competition, racing also serves as an important testing ground for developing tires for the consumer market. In line with its commitment to superior performance, Michelin will also enter--for the first time ever--a motorcycle displaying its own colors in all Endurance World Championship events. The Michelin Power Research Team, with riders William Costes, Hugo Marchand and Josep Monge, will focus on gathering a large quantity of technical data to be used in designing the brand’s future motorcycle tires.

As part of its new approach to motorcycle speedway racing, Michelin will also participate in national speed championships in Spain and Italy. The Company sees the opportunity of competing with other tire manufacturers in these very demanding events as a way to drive new innovations.