MotoGP: Yamaha confident in Bridgestone move

Valentino Rossi’s factory Yamaha team boss is convinced a controversial move to Bridgestone tyres will help revitalise the Italian’s MotoGP world title challenge in 2008.

The 29-year-old has impressed during winter testing since he quit Michelin at the end of a nightmare 2007 campaign, sparking fresh hope that Rossi can seriously threaten Casey Stoner in his bid for an eighth world title.

And Fiat Yamaha team boss Davide Brivio told MCN: “Last year with Casey it was frustrating some times for us because we had a gap on the engine and on many occasions we had a gap on tyres.

“We can’t make tyres so we tried to fill this gap choosing the same tyre and also we worked very hard on the bike and on the engine.

“It is not that we changed to Bridgestone to be on the same tyres as Casey.

“Valentino’s feeling on the track following the Bridgestone riders was that in some occasion it looks like the tyres suited more what his request, needs and his expectations are.

“He felt quite confident that this could have been a change that might help. We are looking at more consistency on the performance and we are confident that we have done the right thing.”