MotoGP: Chris Vermeulen urges Bridgestone improvement

Chris Vermeulen has called on Bridgestone to accelerate development of its new tyres, with several riders still campaigning last year’s rubber.

Vermeulen was one of several Bridgestone runners to use 2007 spec tyres in last month’s Spanish GP in Jerez, including Casey Stoner, factory Suzuki team-mate Loris Capirossi and former team-mate John Hopkins.

Vermeulen told MCN: “I used the same rear tyre as last year and only on step harder in the front in Jerez.

“That shows the tyres worked well last year but Michelin has taken a step and we have got to try and catch that up.

“The pace has got faster so we need to improve the tyres.”