Bridgestone Europe has announced that it will no longer supply tyres to teams in the Motocross World Grand Prix championships after the 2007 season. After 10 years of top-level motocross, including three world titles, the company has decided to concentrate resources on MotoGP track racing from 2008.
“With an increased number of MotoGP teams riding on Bridgestone – including and new world champion Casey Stoner with the Ducati Corse team – and a year-round development and testing program, Bridgestone has reluctantly decided to stop supporting the FIM motocross world championships and concentrate resources on MotoGP” said Gunther Podevyn, Senior Manager Motorcycle Tyre Products, Bridgestone Europe.

Bridgestone entered WGP motocross in 1997, supplying teams in the 500 cc in a championship that included three classes at the time. Further contracts with 125cc and 250 cc teams soon followed. Bridgestone’s first world championship came in 2001 with James Dobb (G.B.) winning the 125 cc title on KTM. Belgian Joel Smets, also on KTM, then won the 500 cc on Bridgestone tyres in 2003.

Under the MX1 and MX2 classifications introduced in 2004, Bridgestone triumphed again in 2006 with Christophe Pourcel claiming the FIM MX2 250 cc world championship with the GPKR Kawasaki Team. In 2007 Bridgestone supported 8 MX1 teams, including Kawasaki with Sébastien Pourcel who finished 4th in the world championship, and 6 MX2 teams, including Kawasaki with 3rd placed Christophe Pourcel.

In MotoGP, 2007 has been a triumphant season for Bridgestone with 27 podiums, 12 victories out of 17 starts, and Casey Stoner’s totally dominant performance with Ducati Corse.

From Bridgestone Tires