Redding ready to race down under
Phillip Island, 16 October 2014: Scott Redding heads down under as the leading Open Class Honda rider in the MotoGP World Championship standings, a position he is keen to consolidate this weekend at the Australian Grand Prix.
Redding was disappointed to end a run of 12 consecutive points scoring finishes last time out at Motegi, where braking issues saw him finish the Japanese Grand Prix in 16th position.
The 21-year-old Briton counts the Phillip Island circuit as one of his favourites on the calendar, but this weekend will be the first time he’s tackled the ultra-fast track aboard a MotoGP machine; a challenge that he is looking forward to.
Scott Redding:
“Normally Phillip Island is one of my favourite tracks, as it’s fast and fun to ride and I think it will be even more fun on a MotoGP bike. We will need to see how well the bike works on Friday, because usually the wind that blows directly from Antarctica can cause some problems. At Motegi I had some issues getting the bike stopped, especially at the beginning of the race with a full fuel load. We still don’t know what caused this, so it’s something we need to find a solution for this weekend in Australia.”
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda:
EXCITED BRADL READY FOR THE ISLAND GP
Phillip Island, 16 October: the picturesque Phillip Island circuit hosts the second round of the 3 races in a row straight after Motegi GP where, only few days ago, Marc Marquez has been crowned 2014 World Champion. The oceanic race track is a favourite for riders and fans and this year in particular the LCR rider Stefan Bradl is anxious to be back as he missed the race last year after his ankle injury in Sepang.
Stefan: “Last year I could not race here in Phillip Island and I was very frustrated because, like the majority of the riders, I really like this track. I have had good results here in the past (second in 125cc and Moto2 and sixth in 2012 in my first year in the premier class) and it would be nice to finish in the top group. The potential of our RCV is very high. One question is always the weather but it looks like it will be sunny”.
More, from a press release issued by Bridgestone:
Bridgestone MotoGP™ Preview – Round 16: Phillip Island
Wednesday, October 15 2014
Bridgestone slick compounds available:
Front: Extra-soft & Soft (Symmetric) & Soft (Asymmetric). Rear: Soft, Medium & Hard (Asymmetric)
Bridgestone wet tyre compounds available: Soft (Main), Hard (Alternative)
Round sixteen of the 2014 MotoGP™ season takes place at Australia’s Phillip Island, a circuit whose combination of a fast and flowing layout and a high-grip track surface create a gruelling test for tyres.
Measuring around 4.45 kilometres in length, the Phillip Island circuit is one of the most severe for MotoGP tyres, with the final section through the left-handed turns 11 and 12 generating the highest tyre temperatures recorded all season. Adding to the challenge, Phillip Island can experience extremely cool weather and with five right-hand corners compared to seven left-hand corners, the circuit has an unbalanced track layout. This results in a high variance in the forces imposed on the left and right shoulders of the tyres.
To meet the demands of the Phillip Island circuit, Bridgestone is bringing a brand new allocation of tyres. In addition to developing a new range of asymmetric rear slicks for Phillip Island following two tyres tests at the circuit earlier this year, Bridgestone will also debut a new asymmetric front slick at the Australian Grand Prix to deliver even higher levels of rider safety.
The rear slick options for the Factory Honda and Yamaha riders are the medium and hard compounds, while the Ducati and Open-class riders will get access to the soft and medium compound rear slicks. The front tyre options for Phillip Island are the extra-soft and soft symmetric front slicks, as well as the new soft compound asymmetric front slick.
Hiroshi Yamada – Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Department
“This weekend MotoGP visits the fastest track on the calendar, Phillip Island, one of the favourite circuits for the riders and fans. We are bringing a brand new tyre allocation to the Phillip Island circuit this year, including an asymmetric front slick for the first time in the championship, so it is an important weekend for Bridgestone. Although the MotoGP championship title was won by Marc in Motegi last weekend, there is still so much to look forward to in the remaining races this year, with the fight for second place in the championship table between Valentino, Dani and Jorge becoming incredibly close. The Australian fans love their racing, so I hope there will be a big crowd present this weekend on the island enjoying the sight of the world’s best riders taking on one of the world’s best circuits.”
Shinji Aoki – Manager, Bridgestone Motorcycle Tyre Development Department
“Phillip Island is a fast and flowing circuit and the recent resurfacing has made the track the most demanding circuit on the calendar for tyres. The last corner in particular involves high speed, large throttle openings and the riders at extreme lean angles for long periods, all of which combine to create the highest rear tyre temperature experienced during the season. After our tyre tests at Phillip Island this year, we will bring a brand new allocation of rear slicks to ensure maximum safety, performance and durability, and due to the significant difference in loads placed on the left and right shoulders of the front tyre, our asymmetric front slicks will also make their debut this weekend in Australia. This brand new tyre allocation features our latest technological developments and I am looking forward to see how it performs this weekend.”
More, from a press release issued by Pramac Racing:
Iannone and Hernandez in Australia with the best expectations
After Japan the MotoGP world championship makes a stop in Australia at the circuit of Phillip Island for the second round of the overseas tour. Another opportunity for Andrea Iannone to discover the GP14.2. Yonny Hernandez wants to regain the Q2 and finish the race with no surprises among the top ten.
Andrea Iannone is back on track after two very challenging weekends due to the large amount of work to do on the GP14.2 that had to be done in a short amount of time. Nevertheless Andrea is ready to face the other two appointments brought together in the month of October at his top. At Philip Island the Italian rider will finally set the new Desmosedici starting from a good base after the experience in the past two races. Andrea is confident he can do well, considering the fact that on the Australian circuit last year he achieved his best result of the season.
Yonny Hernandez (EnergyT.I. Pramac Racing) came out a little subdued after the race at Motegi for the crash caused by A. Espargaro. However from this incident Yonny has drawn out the security of being able to fight without problems for relevant positions in the points. In Australia, the Colombian rider will have to be good at freeing out his mind from the facts of the last Grand Prix and push to the limit as always the potential of his GP13. Yonny is confident and ready to get back on his bike.
Andrea Iannone (Pramac Racing)
“There are three races left and I want to give 110%. In the recent Gp’s I have always been among the top 6 and there I’m not far from an important result. I always think positive and believe that I can do it on this track. The Ducati has did well here during winter testing. I will concentrate on the setting of my GP14.2, which reacts in a different way from the GP14. “
Yonny Hernandez (EnergyT.I. Pramac Racing)
“I can’t wait to get back on track to leave behind the incident of Motegi. I am very sorry for the crash, even though it was not my fault. I’m positive and I want to do well in the race. “
More, from a press release issued by AGT Rea Racing:
Gino Rea meets the Australian Kangaroo ahead of the Phillip Island Grand Prix
Following a points finish at Motegi last weekend, Gino Rea goes into the Australian Grand Prix confident of another strong performance. In the short time between Japan and Australia, Rea took time out to visit the local attractions here in Phillip Island. On Wednesday, Gino and team went to the Phillip Island Wildlife Park and had the unique opportunity to feed the native kangaroos.
Gino Rea:
“I’m looking forward to getting back on track after a great weekend at Motegi. It was nice to get in the points there after starting 23rd so I hope to challenge for the Top 15 again at Phillip Island. It’s a completely different style circuit to Motegi so we want to work in the right direction from Friday. I’ve had a good couple of days off and it was nice to visit the Phillip Island Wildlife Park and see the Australian Kangaroos and Koalas. As much as I like the animals here, I hope the seagulls don’t fly too low this weekend!”
The Australian Grand Prix gets under way on Friday morning with Moto2 Free Practice 1 at 10.55 local time.