Bridgestone Assen TT MotoGP Preview
Press Release | June 26, 2013
The following is from Bridgestone…
Assen, the venue for round seven of the 2013 MotoGP™ season has one of the fastest average speeds on the calendar and its diverse, technical layout makes it a rider and fan favorite.
The Assen circuit is not particularly demanding for front tires so softer rubber compounds are offered in the front slicks to provide better grip and warm-up performance. The rear tires are put under comparatively more stress and it is the right shoulders of the rear slicks that take the most punishment, especially in the sequence of corners from Mandeveen to Hoge Heide. As a result, asymmetric rear slicks with harder rubber on the right shoulder a must at this circuit.
Following a partial resurfacing of the track in 2006, grip levels vary in different parts of the Assen circuit and so Bridgestone will provide tires with rubber compounds towards the softer end of its range to ensure maximum rider safety.
Assen has always been harsh on rear tires due to its high average speed and numerous high-camber corners. However, the introduction of the 1000cc MotoGP machines and the corresponding increase in power output, performance and bike weight means this circuit is now classified as particularly severe for tires. As a result, all rear slicks supplied for this race will be in the same heat-resistant construction used at Mugello, though in softer compound options to suit the layout of this circuit. CRT riders will be allocated the soft and medium-soft rear slick options, while the works riders will be able to choose from the medium-soft and medium compound rear slicks.
The main wet tire for the Dutch TT will be the soft compound though riders will be able to select up to two front and rear wet tires in the alternative hard compound if required.
Bridgestone slick compounds available: Front: Extra-soft & Soft. Rear: Soft, Medium-soft & Medium (Asymmetric)
Bridgestone wet tire compounds available: Soft (Main), Hard (Alternative)