New-spec tyre not to blame for crash - Rossi

Valentino Rossi has rejected speculation that the new-spec Bridgestone front tyre was responsible for the identical crashes both he and team-mate Nicky Hayden suffered in MotoGP qualifying this afternoon at Silverstone.

Valentino Rossi has rejected speculation that the new-spec Bridgestone front tyre was responsible for the identical crashes both he and team-mate Nicky Hayden suffered in MotoGP qualifying this afternoon at Silverstone.

Both riders went down on the entrance to Vale where there is a bump and then a crest in the tarmac. The Doctor says it is because they can't have enough front grip from the new, softer-construction tyre rather than the tyre itself.

"This tyre was built specially by Bridgestone to arrive at the right temperature earlier because last year we have a lot a lot of crash, especially with the rear but also with the front," said Rossi, speaking to bikesportnews.com this evening.

"The rear work fantastic I think because it move after some lap but is good for the safety. For the front, the problem is the tyre move a bit more in braking but for us it doesn't change a lot. I think for Ducati the older tyre for crash is also worse.

"I crash at the last chicane and Nicky have the same as you hit a bump, go over a crest and unload the front, we have not enough grip and lose the front. I am struggling to stop the bike and put it into a corner. I was also unlucky as I did my time on the hard tyre, and then it start to rain before I can put the soft tyre but I think I can go half a second faster but anyway it's nothing fantastic. I am quite constant with the hard tyre but I am also quite slow." 

By David Miller at Silverstone

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