VOL. 51 ISSUE 28 JULY 15, 2014 P79
Briefly...
than before," said Bradl; while Smith
pointed out that the tighter corner
simply demanded a greater lean an-
gle, so that in spite of reduced speed
the danger was much the same.
Another intriguing test on the same
topic didn't even go off at half cock,
after freighting problems meant that
a batch of asymmetric front tires
failed to turn up in time. This repre-
sents a change of philosophy: last
year Bridgestone rejected the notion
of a dual-compound front specifical-
ly for this corner, because previous
experiments had proved unpopular
with the riders, robbed of their usu-
ally precise front-end feel. A spokes-
man explained. "This time a differ-
ent construction method was used.
We're confident this new type of
asymmetric front will work better, but
it needs to be tested by the riders first
before we can decide to introduce it
at other events on the calendar," he
continued. "If the consensus from
rider feedback regarding this new
development is similar to last time in
that it causes more problems than it
solves then it won't be introduced to
the allocation." The company hoped
to find an alternative test venue after
missing out at the Sachsenring.
Suzuki hopes to dip a toe into the
water at the end of the season, with
a possible wild card entry to the Va-
lencia GP. This is partially a reward to
Randy de Puniet for his testing work
this season, explained project boss
Davide Brivio; but obviously also a
chance to measure the latest version
of next year's returning MotoGP bike
in anger, rather than just at joint tests.
With further tests planned at Mug-
ello, Aragon and Valencia, "there is
now an idea to participate in the last
of the year.
Lead Mahindra rider Miguel Oliveira
had forged through to sixth at the front
of the chase pack from 19th on the
grid, only to be knocked off by the
crashing Karel Hanika.
Some relief in the title chase for
Miller, with his closest rivals not scor-
ing well, and Fenati and Rins not at all.
He has 142 points to Marquez's 123,
then Vazquez 112, Fenati 110 and Rins
107.
Jack Miller celebrates his
victory in the Moto3 class.
continued on next page
