Dani Pedrosa has revealed he is unsure just how Bridgestone’s new tyre will perform at this weekend’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
The Japanese tyre manufacturer has constructed a new tyre to cope with the Phillip Island circuit after officials at last year’s event were forced to introduce an unprecedented mandatory pit stop during the race due to tyre failure fears.
Bridgestone blamed the recent resurfacing of the circuit for the unexpected levels of degradation experienced by riders, which saw the race won by Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo, reduced to 26 laps.
Although the new specification tyres have been tested at Brno in August, Honda rider Pedrosa believes it is difficult to say if the new rubber has solved the issues of last year until free practice begins on Friday.
“We were here (Phillip Island) testing in February and we now have different tyres but we don’t know yet how it is going to work and if there is going to be any issue. At the moment we will try the tyres and see how it goes,” Pedrosa told Speedcafe.com.
With his team-mate Marc Marquez becoming the youngest back-to-back MotoGP champion at last week’s Japanese Grand Prix, Pedrosa’s eyes are fixed on cementing second spot in the rider standings.
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The Spaniard is currently tied on points with Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi for second with Lorenzo just three points adrift.
“Second is now tight and also Valentino (Rossi) and Jorge (Lorenzo) have been riding well lately,” added Pedrosa.
“There are three races remaining and I hope we can still beat them.
“Its a very fast track and with the new asphalt it makes more safe than before so this is positive and we hope the weather stays on our side.”
Pedrosa jumped aboard his Honda for the first time outside of a race circuit today in an Australian Grand Prix promotional run alongside Melbourne’s Yarra river.
VIDEO: Dani Pedrosa and Jack Miller go for a ride around Melbourne
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