MotoGP News
Date:
20/October/2013
The Australian MotoGP has been reduced from 27 to 19 laps
and will include the first ever mandatory pit stops.
The unique format has been forced upon the organisers after
exclusive tyre supplier Bridgestone was badly caught out by the grip
characteristics of the new Phillip Island asphalt.
Tyre overheating issues mean Bridgestone is unable to
guarantee the safety of its rear slicks beyond ten laps.
As a result, a statement from MotoGP Race Direction
declared: “Every rider will be required
to enter the pits and change to his second machine with fresh tyres at least
once during the race. In normal circumstances this means that the rider must
change machine only at the end of lap 9 or lap 10.
“No rider is permitted to make more than 10 laps on any one
slick or wet rear tyre. This means that a bike/tyre change before lap 9 will
require a second bike/tyre change to finish the race.”
Riders will also be required to use only the harder of the two
rear tyre options.
Repsol Honda rookie Marc Marquez can win the MotoGP title on
Sunday if he is able to raise his Championship lead by eight points.
However nearest rival and reigning Champion Jorge Lorenzo starts
the race from pole position after a record lap in qualifying. Yamaha team-mate
Valentino Rossi will join Marquez and Lorenzo on the front row of the grid.
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