Michelin's new hardcore summer rubber wraps their race tyre tread over a brand new carcass and the result is phenomenal. Despite the sticky compound, it rolls quickly and smoothly. Even with extra layers fending off flats, it's light, supple and moulds to the ground beautifully.
This translates to outstanding adhesion. The close-packed tread wraps right over for amazingly consistent grip at all lean angles, no matter whether it's bone dry or loose and skittery.
The tyre can clog in really gloopy stuff, but flexibility in the knobs means it sheds mud fast, and the same flex means any slides are easily controlled. The wear rate is bearable and the price is excellent for such a design.