Bridgestone MotoGP Preview – Round 5: Italy, Mugello Tyre compounds available: Front: Medium, Hard. Rear: Medium, Hard The faster and more technical nature of the Mugello circuit in Italy demands a slightly different approach from Bridgestone, and for the first time this season the Official Tyre Supplier to MotoGP will bring medium and hard compound slick tyres for both the front and rear. The Mugello circuit is notoriously tough on tyres, owing to its fast and technically demanding nature, so Bridgestone have a stern challenge on their hands. With the track temperature expected to be similar to last year’s high of 50 degrees Celsius, harder compound Bridgestones are required to deliver the same performance and consistency the tyres have already demonstrated this season. The medium and hard compound fronts slicks were used at the Spanish Grand Prix, but it will be the first time the riders have used the hard compound rear Bridgestone since the winter break, so there may be some riders opting for the more tried-and-tested medium rear slick. Attention will be on compound choices and how they affect riders’ pace over the 120.6 kilometres of race distance, the second longest of the season. Mugello is one of the season’s fastest circuits, being one of only two venues last year with an average lap speed above 170kmh. It is also the fourth longest of the season at 5.2km, and the Tuscan track often produces gripping competition. Last year five different teams and three manufacturers finished in the top five. Bridgestone-shod riders scored their first 1-2 finish of the season with Valentino Rossi taking victory for Fiat Yamaha in front of his home crowd, followed by Ducati Team’s Casey Stoner. Dani Pedrosa finished third for Repsol Honda. The Italian venue is the home grand prix for so many teams and riders, adding an extra incentive to perform in front of the thousands of feverish home fans. The pressure is on too for Bridgestone, whose tyres must perform on the most demanding stage of the season so far. Hiroshi Yamada – Bridgestone Motorsport Manager Motorcycle Sport Unit “Mugello is one of those events where the atmosphere is so special and the fans are so passionate, and we are proud to be a part of this spectacle. There have been some great races here in previous years and some good memories, including the first Mugello win on Bridgestone tyres scored by Valentino last year. It is always a tough race on tyres, especially with the added pressure of a home race for so many in the paddock, but I am confident we can contribute towards a good and exciting race on Sunday.” Tohru Ubukata Bridgestone Motorsport Manager Motorcycle Race Tyre Development “A wide range of fast and slow corners, the long Rettilineo straight and high average lap speeds make Mugello as technically demanding as it is tough on tyres. The Arrabbiata, Scarperia and Bucine corners are especially crucial to good lap times here. The challenge is totally different to that in Le Mans, where weather unpredictability was the key, as in Mugello our tyres will face their toughest test of the season yet. But we saw that the hard compound front Bridgestone performed well In Jerez with every rider opting for it in the race, so I am confident the riders will get just as good a feeling from our hard compound rear Bridgestone.”