New MotoGP tires for Phillip Island

MotoGP tire supplier Bridgestone will introduce a new tire allocation for this weekend's Australian Grand Prix in another push to enhance rider safety.

According to the Japanese manufacturer, the newly-developed asymmetric front tire offers improved warm-up performance and edge grip while maintaining stability under braking.

The tire is made up of two different compounds, with one shoulder composed of a softer rubber. The softer compound will be on the right-hand side for the Phillip Island race, as the Australian track features five right-handers and seven left-handers.

The new structure means riders begin using the softer part of the tire when they lean 30 degrees to the right for corners.

Bridgestone's motorcycle tire development manager Shinji Aoki said: "Our new asymmetric front slick is the result of a long development program and I'm pleased to see it make its debut this weekend. This development is yet another example of our commitment to continue developing new MotoGP tire technology."

Bridgestone will leave MotoGP at the end of 2015 to be replaced by Michelin, but it has previously promised to continue working hard on tire development until that time.

2013 ISSUES RESOLVED

Bridgestone is also confident that it will not suffer a repeat of the rear tire issues from last year's Phillip Island race, which meant riders were forced to make a bike switch mid-race.

Those problems arose because the Japanese firm underestimated the tire temperatures and could not guarantee the safety of its rear tires beyond 14 laps, and this year the MotoGP field will use a tire developed specifically for the Australian track.

"Since last year's race at Phillip Island, we have tested at the circuit in a large variety of weather conditions to ensure our tires will provide excellent durability and performance, while still providing good warm-up performance and usability for the riders," said Aoki.

"Such are the demands placed on the rear tire at Phillip Island, that our rear slicks for this weekend use compound and construction technology that aren't used at any other circuit on the calendar. Our test results with these new tires were encouraging, and I am looking forward to seeing them in a race situation this weekend."