MotoGP riders help Bridgestone launch new Battlax BT-003RS hyper sports street tyre Circuito de Velocidad de Almeria Wednesday 18 – Sunday 22 March 2009 One week ahead of the final pre-season MotoGP test in Jerez, LCR Honda rider Randy de Puniet and Pramac Racing’s Niccolo Canepa flew to the southern Spanish circuit of Almeria to support the media launch of Bridgestone’s Battlax BT-003 Racing Street hyper sports tyre. The Battlax BT-003RS is designed to provide outstanding street and track-day performance for all sports motorcycles from 250cc on, giving riders of all abilities the chance to experience the grip performance of Bridgestone’s MotoGP multi-layer compound technology. A range of 2009-specification street bikes from MotoGP manufacturers Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha were fitted with the BT-003RS tyres and used during the five days, alongside machines from BMW, Triumph and KTM. In 2009 Bridgestone began the first of three seasons as the official tyre supplier to the FIM MotoGP World Championship, and the Battlax BT-003RS is the latest in the company’s line of high-performance street tyres to draw upon successes in top-flight motorcycle racing. Gunther Podevyn, Senior Manager Motorcycle tyres, Bridgestone Europe: “The BT-003RS is a street tyre that is also at home on the circuit. It is designed to work from very low temperatures, giving good performance and safety for the regular street user even in cold conditions, yet as Randy, Niccolo and the 89 attending media demonstrated, Bridgestone’s MotoGP expertise means it is also a high-performing and consistent track-day tyre. Both Randy and Niccolo gave very positive feedback about the BT-003RS and were very satisfied with the level of grip it delivered under braking, cornering and acceleration, so I am very happy and would like to thank them and their teams for their support.” Randy de Puniet, LCR Honda: “It was my first time with a street bike on the circuit; of course it was not a MotoGP bike but pretty fast anyway. Honestly I was really surprised about the grip level of the BT-003RS. I think this Bridgestone product will satisfy the customers’ needs both in the performance field and safety one.” Niccolo Canepa, Pramac Racing: “Almeria has all kinds of corners fast, slow, chicanes, everything so it is very good to test the tyres here. I am surprised with the level of grip from the BT-003RS as it’s not often I ride a road bike with road tyres and the level is very high. You can lean the bike over very fast, and the lean angle is unbelievable for a street tyre. The BT-003RS is very good very progressive and you can feel the level of grip very well. You can also push very hard on them the front tyre especially is very good as you can enter corners very fast and the bike is very stable.”