Dunlop: No MotoGP tyre bid

Dunlop has explained why it did not submit a tender for the post-2015 MotoGP Tyre Supply, which was today announced as going to Michelin.

Bridgestone's decision to withdraw at the end of next season left Dunlop - which currently supplies both the Moto2 and Moto3 grand prix classes - as a potential contender alongside the likes of Michelin and Pirelli.

Dorna stated that three tyre suppliers had initially expressed an interest but only Michelin made a formal tender.

"MotoGP continues to be a very strong global event, and we are proud of our long-standing relationship with the MotoGP organisers through our continued supply to the FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships," stated Sanjay Khanna, managing director of Dunlop Motorsport.

"Dunlop is in the fortunate position of having many strong partnerships with motorcycle manufacturers and leading championships around the world. We have taken the decision to focus on developing and supplying tyres for these important partners for the immediate future.

"We believe our performance in events where there is open-competition between tyre manufacturers, such as Road Racing and the FIM Endurance World Championship, prove that Dunlop has the capability to win races at the top-level of motorcycle racing.

"However, with such a diverse range of racing activities already planned for 2015 and beyond, we have chosen not to tender to be the Official MotoGP supplier on this occasion. We do not rule it out as an opportunity in the future," added Khanna.

During the recent Spanish F1 Grand Prix, Pirelli - also the exclusive WSBK tyre supplier - said some discussions were likely but that it had "no plans" to make a MotoGP bid.

Dunlop stated that the MotoGP tender was for the 2016-2018 seasons.