Bridgestone go soft for 800cc.

Bridgestone believes that the new generation of 800cc MotoGP machines, to be raced from 2007, will allow softer compound tyres than are currently fitted to the 990cc prototypes.

"Some of our teams have already tested with 800cc bikes for which we have supplied standard 2006-specificaton Bridgestone tyres," explained Hiroshi Yamada, Bridgestone Motorsport's manager of motorcycle racing. "We have done this in order to set a base for ourselves, so that we can compare the behaviour of the tyres with both types of bike.

Aoki on 800 Suzuki, Motegi MotoGP Test 2006
Aoki on 800 Suzuki, Motegi MotoGP Test 2006
© Gold and Goose

Bridgestone believes that the new generation of 800cc MotoGP machines, to be raced from 2007, will allow softer compound tyres than are currently fitted to the 990cc prototypes.

"Some of our teams have already tested with 800cc bikes for which we have supplied standard 2006-specificaton Bridgestone tyres," explained Hiroshi Yamada, Bridgestone Motorsport's manager of motorcycle racing. "We have done this in order to set a base for ourselves, so that we can compare the behaviour of the tyres with both types of bike.

"So far, the lap times have been closely matched because what the bike loses in outright power, it can make up with increased cornering speed. This will probably mean that we can develop softer compound tyres for next year's races, but we have already begun initial analysis into this in addition to our ongoing research and development," he added.

Bridgestone, which has won three races so far this season with Loris Capirossi and Ducati, will continue to supply the factory Ducati, Suzuki and Kawasaki teams next season - but add the satellite Pramac d'Antin Ducati team, and possibly a Honda outfit, to its commitments.

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