Embarking on a comeback trail following injury, one-time championship leader Pedrosa was forced to amble around the back of the field all weekend on the way to 15th place in the race, while he also took the decision not to stay at the circuit for post-event testing. A public lambasting of Michelin duly followed.
Although Michelin insist they will be more competitive at Misano, an increasing amount of noise is being made about a switch to a control tyre next season, a contract rivals
Bridgestone would be favourites to win. Even if that doesn't occur though, Michelin could face an exodus of teams switching to alternative rubber in 2009 if the situation doesn't improve…
Still, provided Michelin keep up their end of the bargain, Repsol Honda will be back to full strength at Misano, with Pedrosa being joined by
Nicky Hayden, the former champion returning to action after injuring himself at the X-Games prior to Brno.
His absence has, however, caused him to slip from the battle for fourth place in the standings, which is continuing to be led by
Jorge Lorenzo, the Spaniard showing flashes of his best form again as he grapples with the myriad of injuries that have stymied his rookie season.
He is coming under pressure, however, from
Andrea Dovizioso, who got his head down to finish ninth in Brno, despite being amongst those to be hobbled by their rubber. Another rider to consider Misano his home round, Dovizioso will look to bridge the ten point gap to arch-rival Lorenzo and snatch ‘best of the rest' status from him.
Colin Edwards, one of the sharpest critics of Michelin following Brno, remains just eight points further back in sixth place, although he is under pressure from the in-form
Chris Vermeulen, the Suzuki rider's two podiums and a sixth place finish hauling him well into the fight for fourth place in the standings.
Suzuki have high hopes for Misano too after
Loris Capirossi grabbed a third consecutive podium for them at Brno, a race that also saw the lesser heralded riders grab a few headlines.
