Bridgestone BT-016 Hypersport Tyre Test

Words - Mike Swann

In the same way Bridgestone dominated last year’s MotoGP series, it looks like they also have their sights set firmly on world sports bike tyre domination. Assisting them in their quest is the latest offering, the BT-016 Hypersport tyre.

The venue for the launch was the twisty Jerez GP track in southern Spain. Now I know what your thinking, it’s sunny, it’s warm and it’s Spain, but there was no hiding there with 100 or more of the world’s leading journos arriving [over a week] to thrash the life out of them, and thrash them we did.

As I mentioned at the start, Bridgestone is very serious about tyre development. They’re not just in there to make up the numbers, they want to be the best and dominate in every field of the motorcycle market, and you really do get that vibe from them. Not only did they have ex GP star Jeremy McWilliams on hand to set up the machinery and give instruction on track knowledge; we were also joined on track by present MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner and Ducati team-mate Marco Melandri. Now that’s what I call promotion.....