Dunlop 'tremendously satisfied' with second Moto2 season

Dunlop, exclusive tyre supplier for the Moto2 World Championship, is 'tremendously satisfied' with the technical progress and quality of racing seen during the second year of competition.

Building on data gathered during the inaugural season, Moto2 bikes set new lap records in 12 of the 17 rounds this year - four of the other five races being held in the wet.

Six different riders won a race - while 16 competitors were able to celebrate at least one podium finish, on seven different types of chassis design.

The 2010 championship had been wrapped up by Toni Elias with three rounds to go. This year's title fight looked set to go to the very final race, until ongoing injuries for Marc Marquez confirmed Stefan Bradl as champion.

"Congratulations to Stefan Bradl and Viessmann Kiefer Racing for their championship win," said Stephen Male, Dunlop Motorcycle Motorsports Manager.

"This has been a tremendously satisfying second season of Moto2 for Dunlop. We have seen faster lap times than last year at dry tracks in both qualifying and in the races. We also have very closely fought races, so we can say we have done a good job with our tyre supply.

"In terms of development we have run three different front tyre specifications and seven different rear specifications, including a new one at the very last race of the season. This shows that our progress is ongoing and it will continue in 2012."

Bradl (Kalex) took four wins from eleven podiums, compared with seven wins from eleven podiums for Marquez (Suter).

However, a crash for Bradl in the damp Valencia finale was one of only two non-scores for the German, compared with six for rookie Marquez (including non-starts in the last two rounds).

"Stefan won his championship by being the most consistent rider out there," stated Dunlop Moto2 Co-ordinator Clinton Howe. "He may not have concluded his title the way he would have liked to do in Valencia, but conditions were very difficult.

"Even though the track was wet, all riders used our slick tyres which was a testament to how the compound warm-up for which we thank our development team. Over the season we improved compounds and constructions and it is very satisfying to see ongoing progress; and there's plenty more to come."

Dunlop will continue as the exclusive Moto2 tyre supplier for 2012, which will also be the third year of the 600cc Honda-built engines, used by all riders.