MotoGP arranges Phillip Island test after tyre dramas
MotoGP will hold a limited pre-season test at Phillip Island in early 2014 to avoid a repeat of the tyre problems that plagued this year's race
The circuit was resurfaced at the end of 2012 but was not tried with a MotoGP bike until this season's Australian Grand Prix weekend.
The GP had to be shortened with a mid-race change of bikes imposed after tyre supplier Bridgestone was unable to guarantee the durability of its rear slick, a result of the new surface and unusually high temperatures.
Championship organisers said selected riders from MotoGP and the Dunlop-supplied Moto2 class - which had its race distance halved - would test on March 3-5 2014.
In the wake of this year's Phillip Island debacle, Bridgestone's head of motorcycle racing tyre development Shinji Aoki said getting test mileage at the track was essential to resolving the issue.
"Everyone at Bridgestone is confident that if we test next year with factory riders at Phillip Island early next year, we can develop tyres for this circuit that will last the full race distance of 27 laps," said Aoki.
"It will be a big challenge for us, but one we will pursue diligently."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season
Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge
Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1
Nicky Hayden: Remembering motorsport's much-loved "one-off" five years on
Morbidelli/Rossi relationship won’t change as MotoGP team-mates
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Same driver quality, less carnage with smaller 2024 DTM grid - van der Linde
Top five roles on Motorsport Jobs this week
How Stroll and Magnussen revealed the scale of F1’s racing and rules problems
Peugeot won't replace Vergne, Vandoorne for Spa WEC amid Formula E clash
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments