MotoGP News - Bridgestone Set To Supply Majority In 2007
20/11/2006
The addition of two more teams to Bridgestone’s high-level MotoGP portfolio means that the Japanese tyre suppliers are set to have more riders than its rival tyre companies.
Bridgestone supplied three teams with six riders in 2006 – the factory Ducati, Suzuki and Kawasaki teams. Michelin supplied nine riders, and Dunlop four.
In a deal concluded only at the final race of the year, however, Bridgestone gained a Honda satellite team, in addition to the second Ducati team.
The multiple race-winning Gresini Honda team, with riders Marco Melandri and Toni Elias, were the latest addition, along with the d’Antin Ducati team, whose riders in 2007 will be Alex Barros and Alex Hofmann.
As things stand at present, Bridgestone will supply tyres to ten riders next year, with Michelin down for nine riders, and Dunlop two riders.
Bridgestone Motorsport's Motorcycle Racing Manager, Hiroshi Yamada, explained that new tyre regulations have made it possible to add to the numbers of riders the company can supply.
“The new regulations limiting each rider to a maximum of 31 tyres for the weekend has made it possible,” he said.
“We will be producing fewer tyres for each GP weekend,” he said. This would allow the Tokyo factory to service more teams within the existing production capacity.”