Loris: Smaller is better

Factory Ducati number one Loris Capirossi is likely to shun the chance to race with Bridgestone’s big profile 16.5-inch rear tyre when the new MotoGP campaign gets underway in Qatar.

Capirossi said his preference was still to use the smaller profile Bridgestone rear on his new Ducati GP7 800 machine, while Alex Barros has told Bridgestone engineers that he prefers the larger tyre.

Capirossi said: “We can try a small or large profile. The potential is similar. But I prefer the small tyre. I can make the same time with the bigger one but with the smaller one the bike is easier to ride and you can change direction quicker. That was important in Phillip Island recently with so many changes of direction. The changes are really quick and some come at over 100mph.”