Stoner Unhappy About MotoGP Single Tyre Proposal

The recent suggestion from Dorna that a one tyre rule should be adopted for MotoGP in 2008 has been met less than enthusiastically by current world champion, Australia’s Casey Stoner. The Bridgestone shod rider recently made public his feelings about the proposal made after a season in which the Japanese tyre major dashed Michelin’s long enjoyed winning streak.

“There has been one [bad] season and now everyone wants to jump ship,” Stoner said. “This is a prototype championship. These bikes are built just for this championship and these tyres are built just for this championship. If we bring in a single tyre rule, then you bring in single manufacturer bikes, and then it’s the R6 Cup.”

Although the change mooted by Dorna seems to have received a cool response from most quarters, more than a hint of resignation was detectable in Stoner’s words – the one-tyre rule may be pushed through regardless of objections. The regulation is “going to be decided without our opinion,” he commented. “There has always been a couple of riders in this championship who really make all the decisions.” He added that it is this small clique, which some believe include Michelin riders Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi, that decides “the way things go.”

Whether or not this scenario proves to be the case, Stoner and the other riders will not have to wait long before finding out the conditions under which they will be competing next year. The final decision on changes to the tyre rule for the 2008 championship will most likely be made before the Malaysian Grand Prix.