5 Oct 2008

Michelin pull out of MotoGP

10:48 am on 5 October 2008

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 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 this weekend's Australian race at Phillip Island.

Michelin says it hasn't submitted a bid while the Federation says it has received a bid from Japanese company Bridgestone Corp.

That proposal would be considered at the next MotoGP in Malaysia with a decision expected on October 18.