MORE Afternoon Moto News - MotoGP at Sepang, Chris Vermeulen & Bridgestone

The MotoGP teams are now back in Malaysia at the Sepang circuit for more pre-season testing. The first day is reserved for test riders, but Honda and Ducati decided to wait until tomorrow and just run with their actual racers. For what little detail there is, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9mrhfz

Chris Vermuelen is already saying the he likes the World Superbike experience more than what he had in MotoGP. We have heard him say this before, and he does have a great reason for his opinion as it is one which many other fans agree with now. Just look at all the manufacturers and riders in the series...2010 will most certainly be a great year for WSBK!

http://tinyurl.com/yeq7rek

Bridgestone is already working out whether they will try again to become the spec tire for the MotoGP Championship beyond 2011. They are the tire supplier up to the end of that year, but there is no word on how well the series is working for them. It is expensive and Bridgestone has already dropped out as the sole tire used in Formula 1 (at the end of this year), so they may pull out of the motorcycle version as well...

http://tinyurl.com/ydqozah

Bridgestone 2009 MotoGP Season Review

It was the first year of the single tire rule in MotoGP, and many would like to know the inside story about how well it went - or not. Turns out that the year was not so bad; there were issues, sure, but nothing catastrophic (hopefully nothing like that will happen to any racing series). The Bridgestone tires held up rather well overall, but there is always room for improvement. 2010 should be an even better year for the tire brand.

http://tinyurl.com/yl2bu6l

Bridgestone Withdraws from Formula 1 - Should Not Affect MotoGP

Well, at least it will not cause any problems until 2011 when the contract between Bridgestone and MotoGP will be up for renewal. Things are changing - the economy is still in tatters - and Bridgestone is adjusting to the realities of their industry.

http://tinyurl.com/yln5kc2

Rather Decent Tire Test - The 2009 DOT Race Motorcycle Tire Shootout

Over at Motorcycle USA (the online 'zine is really proud of their Executive Editor), they took several makes and models of DOT race rubber and pitted them against each other in a pure test of performance. Dunlop, Michelin, Bridgestone, Pirelli and Avon were all involved in the testing. To see what they thought - and it is a long, detailed, well-documented article - take the link. Interesting results...

http://tinyurl.com/y9ze88a

More on Phillip Island MotoGP Round...

What happened at Phillip Island that the fans probably did not know? Well, the MotoGP Insider column can help with that. Will Rossi defect to Ducati at the end of 2009? He and his team say no, but some insiders at Ducati and the Italian press say yes! There is much more here...

http://tinyurl.com/ygwzb28

What exactly caused Lorenzo to crash out of Sunday's race? Well, the above article goes into some detail, but here is more information for you...

http://tinyurl.com/ykkhm7y

And, of course, what do the tire guys at Bridgestone think went right or wrong at Phillip Island...

http://tinyurl.com/yjou4se

Casey Stoner Wins Phillip Island Grand Prix - MotoGP

Stoner led from start to finish, but Valentino Rossi was hot on his heels through much of the race. Unfortunately for Jorge Lorenzo, he crashed out very early - just seconds into the race - and took Nicky Hayden with him - another crash that was not Nicky's fault and cost him points. Nicky went on to finish in 15th. Dani Pedrosa did not disappoint, but he was far behind the two leaders of the event; he finished third.

More news: Rossi experienced personal tragedy before yesterday's practice after hearing that his step-father had passed away in Italy. Very sad news...With the podium finish today, though, he is even closer to the 2009 MotoGP Championship.

http://tinyurl.com/yfckdbg

http://tinyurl.com/ylq59ag

http://tinyurl.com/yfkbt66

Team Reports:

Bridgestone: http://tinyurl.com/yjw4wgg
Ducati: http://tinyurl.com/yk872xz
Fiat Yamaha: http://tinyurl.com/yf5r8s4
Repsol Honda: http://tinyurl.com/yz5dkvx
Tech 3 Yamaha: http://tinyurl.com/yfaxshh
Pramac Ducati: http://tinyurl.com/yftc4ha
Rizla Suzuki: http://tinyurl.com/yhx9aor
Gresini Honda: http://tinyurl.com/yzso6te
LCR Honda: http://tinyurl.com/yzn29el
Scot Racing: http://tinyurl.com/yg3vt8w

Bridgestone Review of MotoGP Qualifying in Portugal

This is a bit late, but it is an interesting read when you remember that Bridgestone has never won at Portugal. Of course, this year they will (and do) due to the spec tire rule in MotoGP...

http://tinyurl.com/y96emyr