MotoGP to Remain a Multi Tyre Series

The spectre of a single tyre rule that has lingered over MotoGP since late September has evaporated. On October 24 series organiser Dorna Sports withdrew the single tyre championship proposal from the Grand Prix Commission.

Originally suggested by Dorna’s Carmelo Ezpeleta at the Japanese Grand Prix on September 22, the proposal was not well received by many riders, including high profile current champion Casey Stoner, who believed such a plan would change the entire nature of the series. The idea also apparently failed to capture the enthusiasm of both Bridgestone and Michelin.

Some believe the machination behind the proposal was to create a situation in which Bridgestone may feel more inclined to supply tyres to Valentino Rossi in 2008, as comments have been made that Stoner’s pre-eminence this year at the expense of Rossi and Michelin may have served to dilute the competitive spectacle offered by MotoGP. Indeed, Bridgestone Motorsport’s manager of Motorcycle Sport Hiroshi Yamada said that during the Round 17 races in Malaysia Bridgestone was approached by Dorna to supply Rossi’s Yamaha as a way of resolving the issue of the single tyre series.

Bridgestone has not further commented on the substance of this meeting – the tyremaker maintains a policy of not making such matters public – so the question remains as to what brand of tyres Rossi’s Yamaha will be sporting at the start of next season.