Bridgestone launch full investigation after tyre woe at Assen

'We have commenced a full investigation into the matter and I will personally take the affected tyres back to Bridgestone's Technical Centre in Japan where they will undergo detailed analysis to determine the cause of this issue' - Shinichi Yamashita, General Manager, Bridgestone Tyre Development
Bridgestone tyres, Sepang MotoGP test, 28th Feb-1st March 2012
Bridgestone tyres, Sepang MotoGP test, 28th Feb-1st March 2012
© Gold and Goose

Bridgestone has launched a 'full investigation' after a number of riders were hit by serious tyre problems at the Dutch T꧋T on Saturday.

Ducati's Valentino Rossi was forced to return to his garage to change his r🌺ear tyre during the race, while Ben Spies was concerned his rear tyre was going to 'explode' as he battled for third place with fellow Yamaha rider Andrea Dovizioso in the closing stages of the race.

Track temper🤪atures soared to around the 40?C🅺 mark for the race, which was more than 20?C warmer than last year's Dutch TT.

All riders selected the harder Bridgestone fron꧒t 𝓀for the race for its greater cornering stability, with 13 of the 20 competitors opting for the softer rear slick.

Shinichi Yamashita, General Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Dep๊artment, said he would 'personally take the a𓆏ffected tyres back' to the company's technical centre in Japan for analysis.

"The Dutch TT saw warm track temperatures and the race was run at a good pace with all riders selecting the ha༺rder front slick, while all but seven riders selected the softer slick option for the rear,🍨" he said.

"Unfortunately ﷺa few riders experienced a problem with their rear tyre today ꧂and we sincerely apologise to those riders affected.

"We have commenced a full investigation into the matter and I will personally take the affected tyres back to Bridgestone's Technical Centre in Japan whe🌺re they will undergo detailed analysis to determine the c❀ause of this issue."

Hiroshi Yamada, Manager, Bridgestone Mo✱torsport Departಞment, added that the findings of the investigation would be made clear at the next race at the Sachsenring in Germany this weekend.

"I am sorry tha🔯t some riders experienced tyre problems dur🐭ing the race.

"We are now investigating the issue and will report back t♚o teams with our findings at the next race."

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