Michelin pulled some rabbits out of hats during MotoGP final qualifying at Laguna Seca and prevented a very probable Bridgestone whitewash.

The tyre firm have been in such dire straits this weekend, some riders have been sent out on intermediate and cut-slick tyres because the compounds Michelin brought have been too hard for the track temperature apart from the very best (softest) in the allocation which were meant to be for tomorrow's race.

However, in a reversal of fortunes the Michelin qualifiers have masked problems and they managed to get five riders in the top seven, instead of three in the top ten a la free practice this morning.