MotoGP news

Tyre management key in Spain

The way in which riders look after their tyres could be a vital factor during this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, as drivers take to the Jerez track for the first time since the introduction of this season's one tyre rule.

Sole tyre manufacturer Bridgestone has announced that the more aggressive nature of the track surface in Spain, compared to Qatar and Japan, has resulted in the decision to use a harder front tyre for this race. Teams will still be presented with the option of using the soft or medium compound for the rear of the bike, but for the front there will now be a choice of either medium or hard, which is one compound up from those used so far this season..

"The Jerez circuit has been totally resurfaced since last year's race, so this will make a difference to tyre performance," said Tohru Ubukata, Bridgestone Motorsport's Manager for Motorcycle Race Tyre Development. "It was previously quite bumpy and now it is flatter, which is less demanding for the tyre's construction in absorbing the bumps, but the surface is more abrasive which is why we have decided to select a harder front compound to increase durability."

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