Bridgestone MotoGP Preview: Misano

Round thirteen of the 2014 MotoGP season is the San Marino and Rimini Grand Prix taking place at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, which is traditionally the second of the two Grands Prix held on the Italian peninsula each year.
 
At 4.226 kilometers in length, Misano features a tight, stop-and-go layout, the most demanding section being from turns eleven to fourteen, starting with the flat-out Curvone which sweeps into progressively tighter right-hand corners that challenge the riders and tires. The circuit requires good cornering feel but also strong acceleration and braking performance, so an optimal bike setup is important to maintain a quick pace without overheating the tires.
 
Overall, Misano is not excessively demanding on tires although the compound selection has to provide the best combination of grip, durability and heat-resistance as tires spend a lot of time at high lean angles. With ten right-hand turns compared to just six left-hand turns, asymmetric slicks with slightly harder rubber on the right shoulder are supplied. The rear slick compounds for the Ducati and Open-class riders are the soft and medium options, while the Factory Honda and Yamaha riders have access to the medium and hard compound rear slicks. The front slick options at Misano are the soft, medium and hard compounds to ensure suitable options for every possible weather condition.
 
As it is quite an abrasive circuit in wet conditions, Misano is one of the few venues on the calendar where Bridgestone specifies its hard compound wet tire as the main wet option, although every rider can select up to two front and rear wet tires in the alternative, soft compound.
 
Hiroshi Yamada - Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Department
“Misano is a circuit that is challenging for the riders in that it demands a setup and riding style that doesn’t overwork the tires, and compared to some other tracks presents fewer overtaking opportunities. However, following the intense battle between Marc and Jorge, and the strong performance of Ducati, Honda and Yamaha at Silverstone, I believe we may have another special race this weekend. At Misano we will also be hosting the award ceremony for our annual Bridgestone Photography Competition with many MotoGP photographers vying for the grand prize and I would like to wish all those who entered the competition this year the best of luck.”
 
Shinji Aoki - Manager, Bridgestone Motorcycle tire Development Department
“Ambient conditions for the San Marino Grand Prix are usually hot so harder compounds are selected to provide better durability and resistance to overheating. The sequence of right-handers, starting with the fast Curvone corner is the section that puts the most strain on the tires and this is where the rear tires reach their greatest temperature. We offer asymmetric rear slicks with harder rubber on the right shoulder at Misano, but overall the stresses imposed on the centre section, and left and right shoulders are quite similar at this track. The most important consideration for the front tire is a strong centre section to provide good stability in the frequent braking zones. A smooth riding style reaps benefits at Misano so as to not overwork the tires as they have little opportunity to cool down during a lap due to the constant corners.”