HRC president sends condolences to Michelin.

HRC president Suguru Kanazawa has sent a public message of condolence to Michelin family and staff following the death of company head Edouard Michelin, who died during a boating trip on Friday.

The 42-year-old joined the family firm in 1985 after being hand-picked by his father despite coming from a large family. Although he subsequently spent a couple of years serving in the French navy, he returned to the company in 1989, working his way up through the management ranks before succeeding his father Francois ten years later.

Not a regular visitor to grands prix, Michelin had eschewed the chance to be in Monaco for last weekend's F1 Grand Prix and opted instead to go fishing off the coast of Brittany. The alarm was initially raised when his boat failed to return to port, and Michelin's body was later recovered from the sea.

Joint managing director Michel Rollier will oversee the running of the company for the time being.

"The directors and staff of Honda Racing Corporation join the world of motorsport in offering our sad condolences to the Michelin family and the entire staff of the company at the sad loss of Mr Edouard Michelin in such tragic circumstances," read a statement issued by Suguru Kanazawa. "Mr Michelin was a great supporter of motorsport and will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of working with him."

Michelin tyres have long dominated MotoGP's premier-class with Repsol Honda, Fortuna Honda, LCR Honda, Konica Minolta Honda, Camel Yamaha and Team Roberts all currently using the French brand.