Randy de Puniet pays Michelin a visit Randy de Puniet is one of seven Michelin riders contesting this year’s MotoGP World Championship and this weekend will see the Frenchman take part in the French Grand Prix ? round five of the 2008 series ? with his LCR-run Honda RC 212 V. “I have often gone well at Le Mans,” he says. “I finished on the podium several times when I was racing 250 bikes, and last year I even led briefly before falling foul of the rain. Competing on home tarmac is always something of a motivation booster and I hope I go well this weekend.” Prior to his home race, Randy de Puniet took time to travel to Clermont-Ferrand as Michelin’s guest to visit the factory where the tires he uses at each Grand Prix are made. “It was the first time I’d ever been to see a factory of any sort,” he observes. “I saw a front MotoGP tire being made and I also contributed to the production of a car tire. It was a very interesting experience. I have to say that I wasn’t expecting what I saw, and the visit has given me a better understanding of what goes into tire construction. And to think that we sometimes cover just two laps with one set of tires during practice?” This season sees Randy de Puniet racing on Michelin tires for the first time since his Grand Prix debut. “I used Michelins in the French 125cc Championship in 1997 and 1998,” he recalls. “That seems such a long time ago!” Although certain riders have trouble adapting when they switch from one brand of tires to another, it wasn’t a problem for Randy, as he explained to the staff he met during his tour of the Michelin factory: “It didn’t worry me and I immediately felt confident with my new tires. I had to change my style a little, but it’s difficult to say how much exactly because I changed bikes, too. In any case, I have to say that I’m delighted to be racing with Michelin. I am benefiting from a level of support I have never had before from a tire firm. At circuits, I really feel there’s a bunch of people behind me trying to provide me with tailor-made tires.” Of this year’s seven Michelin MotoGP riders, Randy de Puniet is the only Frenchman, but that doesn’t mean he gets any special favors, although speaking the language clearly makes life easier for the Honda LCR rider. “It’s always preferable to be able to understand each other perfectly when talking about highly technical matters,” believes Randy. “My comments are obviously more precise than they would be if I had to converse with my tire technician in English.” Michelin’s motorcycle racing boss Jean-Philippe Weber particularly appreciates Randy’s input when it comes to developing new products. “Randy is a hard worker,” he says. “He just goes out and puts in the laps whenever we ask him, and he never shirks from trying new solutions. I thought there would be a bigger difference between his perception of Michelin tires and the products he used previously, but that turned out not to be the case and he adapted very quickly, as his excellent lap times during winter testing demonstrate. We are fortunate this year to have seven riders who are very similar in terms of their sensitivity. Their tire choices tend to be remarkably close and that helps us work well.” During his visit to Michelin’s Cataroux plant where MotoGP tires are produced, Randy de Puniet got a chance to see for himself the passion that drives all those who contribute to the success and performance of the firm’s racing products. “I signed countless autographs and the staff had lots of questions for me,” relates the Honda LCR rider. “I talked about my life as a bike racer, the way I work with Michelin’s technicians and also my ambitions for the future. I was genuinely surprised by their enthusiasm. My visit to the factory also allowed me to see how difficult it is to achieve the level of precision required to produce a racing tire, and I have total respect for the jobs they all do. Our success at the racetrack begins here, and I am very proud to represent the colors of Michelin in the MotoGP World Championship.” Before taking his leave, Randy promised all those members of the staff who turned out to greet him that he would do his best to put in a top performance at the French Grand Prix.