Valentino Rossi leads support for single tyre rule

New world champion Valentino Rossi has led widespread support for a single tyre rule in 2009 after it was finally confirmed that Bridgestone was the only factory to bid for the exclusive contract.

Michelin didn’t submit a proposal by the October 3 deadline, and as was reported last month by MCN, Bridgestone will supply the entire MotoGP grid following the implementation of the one-tyre rule at the recent Japanese GP.

The move has been generally well received by the majority of the premier class paddock, with Italian Rossi firmly believing that the controversial will be beneficial to MotoGP.

Rossi, who escaped serious injury in a massive crash during qualifying for tomorrow’s Australian GP today, said he reckons the new ruling will be good for the spectacle of MotoGP.

“I agree with the mono tyre. For sure at the beginning we need time to adapt to a new situation. For sure a lot of times we won’t have the perfect tyre for all the racetracks, we probably won’t have any qualifiers but everybody will have the same problems and the same advantages.

“Maybe at the start we will need time to adapt but I think for the future it is a good idea to have funny races and more different riders on the same level to fight for the victory, “said the eight time world champion.

Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo said: “On one hand it will be better for the championship and less confusion. But on the other hand the evolution for the streetbikes it will be worse.

“I would prefer a tyre that gives me one gear more in every corner and the other riders the same as this year. But for sure you want the best with the tyres and I agree with having the same tyres as anybody else.”

American Nicky Hayden, who narrowly missed out on pole position for tomorrow’s 27-lap race, has always been a big supporter of the switch and he said: “As long as it’s a safe tyre because we don’t want to run some new company, but honestly I think the tyre rule is better.

“I don’t have the experience some people do and it might not mean everybody will live happily ever after, but right now we just talk too much about tyres. We talk more about tyres than we ever talked about the bike. I think the racing is going to be better and the fans deserve it. We had races this year where two world champions didn’t qualify and that’s not good for the show.”

Stoner said he would reserve judgement on the issue, but in principal he had no major issues with the ruling.

The Aussie said: “I don’t know whether it is going to be better or not, nobody really does,” In 125s they have also been known for their racing, but in 250s the field is still spread out and they are all on the same tyres.

“I don’t know if it’s going to improve racing or not, but at least it is going to take one part out of it and people are not going to be able to complain. We will all have to dig a little bit deeper and work harder on the bikes.”