Tyres
The two main tyre manufacturers (Michelin and Bridgestone) are to be restricted this year in the hope that it will slow the development and pace of the bikes down over the year. Dunlop - the third supplier - are not restricted, in the hope that they will catch up.
So what are the restrictions?
The teams that run either of the two restricted manufacturers are only allowed 14 front tyres and 17 rear tyres over the course of the whole weekend. This includes the team's chosen compounds and qualifying tyres as well.
The idea is that if the numbers are restricted, the teams will be unable to bring as many tyre combinations to a race. This may not appear to be a big thing, but the MotoGP tyres are possibly the most advanced tyres used anywhere; they contain multi-compound technology (for example: soft on the right side, medium in the middle section and then a super soft on the left) and come in multiple sizes. With a limited allowance, teams have to try to decide what to take to a race before the weekend starts. This means that they could get caught out if the temperature or conditions are not as expected.
Summary
A good season is ahead. Rossi will, without doubt, be the man to beat, but if one of the young up-and-comers like Pedrosa or Stoner prove reliable, they could well be the ones to do it. Then again, if conditions are right, the old boys of Edwards or Capirossi could have a last stand.
Article comments
1 - alessandro nicolo
MotoGP deserves some attention. Good stuff.
2 - Ashleigh
That's what I thought :)