Bridgestone looking forward to single tyre challenge

Bridgestone bosses say they are looking forward to the 2009 MotoGP single tyre rule with ‘great anticipation’ having agreed the final terms of a three-year tyre exclusive tyre deal with Dorna.

Having dominated the MotoGP world championship in 2007 and 2008 with factory Ducati rider Casey Stoner and Fiat Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi, Bridgestone will supply the entire MotoGP grid with tyres until the end of the 2011 campaign at least.

And Hiroshi Yasukawa, Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, said: “Becoming the official tyre supplier to the MotoGP world Championship is a prestigious honour for Bridgestone and we await the start of the 2009 season with great anticipation.

“In these turbulent times of economic crisis, Bridgestone is delighted to be working positively with Dorna to make an exciting contribution to MotoGP.

“We are dedicated to our support of MotoGP and being chosen as the official tyre supplier shows the high regard in which we are held by the sport in which we have been involved since 2002.

“Our participation in MotoGP is an important element of our position as the foremost tyre supplier in motorsport.

“In supplying all MotoGP competitors we will treat manufacturers, teams and riders with fairness and to do this we can draw on our experience of supplying all of the teams in Formula One with our tyres for the past two seasons.

“We hope that having all riders using our tyres will mean exciting races in MotoGP for the next three seasons Looking ahead to the start of the new season in Qatar on April 12.”

Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta said: “We’re delighted to have secured Bridgestone as sole tyre supplier for all teams in the MotoGP class of the FIM world championship for the next three years.

“Bridgestone is a company with a fantastic reputation and they make an outstanding contribution to motorsport.

“We strongly believe that this new agreement is very positive as it will simultaneously reduce costs and increase competition in MotoGP.”