VOL. 50 ISSUE 42 OCTOBER 22, 2013
comments. Rossi thought it "the
best solution" and Nicky Hayden
was actively looking forward to it;
but Jorge Lorenzo cited fears of
dangerous congestion in Phillip
Island's narrow pit lane with all
riders stopping at once.
Race Director Mike Webb issued a blistering attack on the
tire companies, accusing them
of "total incompetence – beyond
belief. "We were handed a really
bad situation and had to try to
rescue it," he said, in an exclusive interview.
He defended the flag-to-flag
decision, saying that there had
been the possibility of having to
cancel the race. "We got a really bad situation and got a good
race," he said.
The top-three race finishers
were scathing about the fact that
such tire problems had arisen.
"Maybe Bridgestone should pay
more attention to new tracks;
maybe a test before would be a
good option," said Lorenzo.
Pedrosa said: "On TV it might
look as if it was cool and enjoyable, but for the team it was a
little bit of a nightmare. Also we
look a little bit ashamed. It is not
a good image for the sport."
Rossi agreed that "if there is
a new surface a tire test should
be compulsory, with fast riders," adding a plea for more tire
development from Bridgestone.
"Bridgestone have to make more
effort to improve their harder tire.
This year it never worked for anybody, and we must use the softer.
For me this is a worse thing - they
should work more to give two
good tire options for the riders.
This year, it never happened."
Michael Scott
Dani Pedrosa changes from one bike
to the other during the mandatory
bike change at Phillip Island.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE
changed again hours before the
race after Bridgestone's second
bombshell, with distance cut
to 19, and a diktat that no rider
should run more than 10 laps on
a single tire.
The Moto2 solution was simpler: Cut the race almost in half,
from 25 laps to 13, still carrying
full points.
Bridgestone had already decreed on Saturday morning
that all MotoGP riders must use
the hardest available tire, even
though many thought it the worst
option. "It spins more and causes
more overheating," Valentino
Rossi said.
Criticism of the tire companies
was widespread, with riders and
Dorna officials alike questioning
why they had not pre-tested at
the all-new surface. This was laid
last December, giving plenty of
time. Further warning was available from tire problems for Pirelli
in World Superbikes at
the start of the season.
Accusations of complacency were joined
by comments from
Dorna's Javier Alonso:
"We are not at all happy with the situation
that has arisen." Alonso criticized the lack of
testing and promised
urgent
discussions
with both companies,
but added: "It is difficult to impose sanctions."
The flag-to-flag solution drew contrasting
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