Positive response to new MotoGP tire

From motogp.com

There was a good response from riders and teams at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit to the new rear tire spec rolled out by Bridgestone at the post-season three-day test in Valencia last week.

After its first year as sole tire supplier to the premier class, Bridgestone used the test to introduce a new medium compound asymmetric rear tire during the second and third days at Valencia.

The results and feedback were positive, with performance better than the successful 2009 medium asymmetric compound used during the Valencia race, where it was the softer of the available options. Casey Stoner was the fastest rider across the three days of testing, with a best lap of 1:31.900 – just over three tenths of a second quicker than his pole position time.

“Our new specification medium compound asymmetric rear tire is based on new rubber which we tested in Qatar and Jerez during winter testing,” explained Tohru Ubukata, Manager of Motorcycle Race Tyre Development at Bridgestone. “Our target for this new rear tire was to achieve a wider operating range and greater consistency, and I can say that the result was what we expected, and was successful.

"All the riders tried our new rear tire during the test and already the results are promising, the lap times look good, and rider feedback is positive.

“During the test the temperature was generally lower than during the Grand Prix so it was a challenge for the tires to reach the optimum working temperatures, but even in these difficult conditions our new specification worked well so I am confident for the performance of this new tire next season.”