MotoGP news

Asymmetric tyre for Barcelona

Bridgestone will be taking asymmetric tyre to Catalonia this weekend, as the Barcelona track offers a different challenge to that of the last race in Mugello. With three more right-handed corners than left and a mix of high and low speeds, tyres have been designed according to suit the Barcelona venue.

"The Circuit de Catalunya is a technical track with long right-hand corners that increase the temperature on the shoulder of the tyres," explained Tohru Ubukata, manager of motorcycle race tyre development for Bridgestone. "The surface is smooth and the stress placed on the tyres' outer shoulders necessitates hard compounds, especially for the rear."

Unlike with Formula 1, MotoGP still uses the originally configured Turn 13 at the Catalan venue, skipping the new-for-2007 right-left-right chicane. "We will bring asymmetric rear tyres for the first time this season, as having dual compounds to suit the right and left-hand corners is essential for good feeling and performance at this circuit," Ubukata continued. "Because the left shoulders are not used as hard, the temperature in them is cooler than in the right shoulders but the soft compound on the left side allows the tyres to give optimal grip and rider feeling in these conditions."

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