Increased supply to help Bridgestone

The Japanese tyre manufacturer is supplying five teams this year - two more than in 2006 - and thinks that the increased data and feedback will be a boost in its fight against Michelin.

"I believe we will really benefit from having such a strong, complete team and rider line-up this season," said Manager of Bridgestone's Motorcycle Sport department, Hiroshi Yamada.

"We can draw on many years experience with Kawasaki, Suzuki and Ducati as we further develop our tyres for 2007. We have already seen significant improvements in the off-season testing with some exceptional testing times being recorded by all three teams.

"We have also been able to accrue extra data through our newly-established relationships with Honda Gresini and Pramac D'Antin. We welcome both of these teams to the Bridgestone family and look forward to helping them in their championship endeavours this season."

The limit of 31 tyres per rider this year will put more emphasis on the job that Bridgestone and Michelin do this season - especially as there will have to be a compromise between qualifying and race rubber.

Yamada is hopeful that Bridgestone is well prepared for the challenges that lay ahead, although well aware that the company can take nothing for granted despite a promising winter testing programme.

"Our ultimate goal is to see a Bridgestone-shod rider win the championship, but that is easier said than done," he explained. "The competition is tough.

"Our motivation and target is always to win races and to give our teams championship-winning tyres, but we will take things on a race-by-race basis to make sure that we have consistently competitive tyres at each GP. This will be the key."