Bridgestone introduces new MotoGP front tyre to assist warm-up performance

The latest evolution tyre features a revised construction in order to enhance rider feel and warm-up performance, and has already received positive feedback.

Bridgestone will introduce the new compound as an additional option at select rounds, on top of the existing tyre allocation. Each rider's allocation will therefore be increased to 11 front tyres.

The Japanese tyre supplier will not offer the third specification compound at seven rounds however: Estoril, Le Mans, Silverstone, Assen, Phillip Island, Sepang and Valencia. At these races the front tyre shortfall will be made up with the standard two compounds.

In addition, Bridgestone will revise its wet tyre allocation.

Where riders currently only have access to one compound option of wet tyre at each race, Bridgestone will offer riders the chance to select up to two sets of an alternative compound - in place of the standard allocation - following the first wet session of a weekend.

Bridgestone's Hiroshi Yamada said the new compounds came as a result of ongoing efforts to improve its MotoGP control compounds.

"Though rider comments on our original 2012 specification front tyre were positive, we haven't rested on our laurels and brought new specification front tyres to the pre-season tests as part of our ongoing tyre development programme," Yamada explained.

"One of these new front tyres was met with such an encouraging appraisal from the riders that we proposed to make it available as soon as possible. Due to logistical constraints, we are unable to supply a full allocation of this new specification front tyre until Silverstone, but we have changed our production schedule and made every effort to provide a limited allocation of the new front tyre to riders from the next race."

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports added: "During the regular meetings during pre-season testing between Bridgestone and Safety Advisor to Dorna Loris Capirossi, it became apparent that this new specification tyre provided even greater levels of front-end feel to the riders and so we welcome the decision to make the tyre available as soon as possible."