Bridgestone finalising 2010 MotoGP tyres

In previous years many races were followed by one or two day tests at the grand prix circuits, but under the recent regulation changes these sessions have been slashed, with just two single day tests at Catalunya and Brno now scheduled. Practice time during GP weekends has also been substantially reduced.

Tohru Ubukata, the head of Bridgestone's motorcycle racing division, said that had forced his company to bring forward its 2010 programme, with new tyres being used at this week's Qatar test.

"The recent FIM regulation changes have affected our development plan so looking now at development for 2010 is very important," Ubukata said.

"We now have to finish 80 per cent of our development for next season during this winter testing period because in-season testing has been significantly reduced.

"As a result, as well as bringing the soft and medium compound tyres from this year's line-up, we brought some new compounds in development for 2010, where the target is to give the tyres a wider still operating range."

Bridgestone has also had to accelerate its 2010 tyre development in Formula One, where testing has been similarly reduced, with several teams running next year's rubber at Jerez this week.

After a long tyre war with Michelin, Bridgestone is now the sole tyre supplier in MotoGP.