Yes it's a very interesting read isn't it Jackie, Have you read the part where Vale is Backing Toseland ?

Any transcription of what Vale said, please?

Vale's happy with his choice... that's good for me!

Let's wait till Shanghai race and see what happens! But there's no doubt that Michelin improved... stupid tyre factory ! It had time to do it last year!

Gi

Michelin has improved....but their weakness is gona surface soon...

One thing hasn't changed.
They can't produce rubbers just before the race.
And they were on their favourite tracks.

Sayin that things alwayz dont go the way we expect....may be Michelins will do better than last year on all tracks...but sustainability...is somethin i doubt...if they can hang on for the whole races coming up...gonna be interesting...

I dont' think anyone said it was the only reason... but the revenge factor has featured massively this year. Colin said it pretty wryly in an interview this year... can't remember which race... but that Michelin were pretty keen to "get him". His defection alone really flung a stinking pile of dog poo at them... it's one thing to say things to the media, week in, week out... another to take the total leap into the unknown that Rossi has taken by going to bridgestone. That he preferred the devil he didn't know to the one he did... Michelin lost any time to fart around by Rossi's defection... that they've shown an inclination to fart around... and Rossi bashing last year still didn't make them pull their finger out... his defection did, however.

Hey, and get this!

I agree totally with Jrcambs and Brno1996.

It is a "big picture" issue... there are a lot of chapters to the story... but fundamentally, Rossi's defection has been the major player in the speed with which Michelin have decided to step up their development. Doubling their development money? That should have happened at the end of 2006. And they knew the tyre rule was coming in, that they'd be at a disadvantage now that they'd be unable to make custom tyres... but did they care? NOOOOOO.

I suddenly died.

It's OK Brno, I am trained in first aid and can make you better again.

Ah, see, long term tactic! Killing you fits much better into my plans! (Insert evil laugh here.)