Bridgestone promise new tire compounds for 2014

ERJ staff report (TP)

Tokyo − Bridgestone has announced it wants to promote a wider variety of race strategies in MotoGP by developing more similar rear tire compounds in 2014, reported Patrick Appleton for Sport.co.uk.

The championship only saw two occasions this season where the main title challengers were on different options.

Valentino Rossi also claimed that Bridgestone’s current crop of tires – including the discernible difference between compounds – was a reason for his relatively poor form last season.

The tire manufacturer has heeded the calls from the Yamaha rider and others, promising that work over the winter will see a change in tire compound make-up next season.

"Over the winter we will develop tires for next year's pre-season tests that will improve upon the key performance characteristics we want to offer riders; warm-up performance and greater usability," Bridgestone Motorsport Manager Hiroshi Yamada said.

"We're also continuing down the development path for our rear tires so that we can offer two viable rear tire options at every circuit to promote greater variability in tire choice on race day."

Yamada also said Bridgestone hoped the softer rear tire it will produce for open class bikes will see them pose more of a threat to the factory machines next season.

"It is evident from testing that the performance of the new open class machines is quite high," he said.

"It will be a challenge for us to supply a softer rear slick option for these machines, but I hope to see some exciting battles between the factory and open class machines next year."

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Full story from Sport.co.uk