Dunlop celebrates new Moto2 champion Stefan Bradl

Dunlop, exclusive tyre supplier to the Moto2 World Championship, heralds a new World Champion in German rider Stefan Bradl (Viessman Kiefer Racing) who was crowned this past weekend.
Bradl came into the 2011 season finale at the Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana needing to finish in 13^th position or higher to clinch the title, however the withdrawal of title rival Marc Márquez (Team CatalunyaCaixa Repsol) on Saturday meant that the title was Bradl’s.
In difficult variable weather with a damp track, the final race of the season was played out with Michele Pirro (Gresini Racing Moto2) taking the win by a comfortable margin in the treacherous conditions. Dunlop’s new rear tyre, the ATR09 3838 performed strongly on its race debut with strong feedback from riders and engineers alike.
Bradl finished the season with 274 points including four wins with Márquez taking second in the standings on 251 points, including seven wins. Third position went to Andrea Iannone (Speed Master).
For Dunlop and the rest of the Moto2 fraternity the focus changes immediately to 2012 and today’s (Monday November 7) test at the Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana.


Quotes

Stefan Bradl Viessmann Kiefer Racing – 2011 Moto2 World Champion
“The whole season for us was fantastic and it is unbelievable to win the championship. It’s such a great feeling which I can’t express. It’s so wonderful and you don’t have the time to realise it. The final race was so difficult in such tricky conditions, so I’m a little bit upset that I crashed, but overall I’m so happy. Great thanks to all my sponsors, my family, my team, my friends and everyone who has believed in me. And great thanks to Dunlop as we always have enjoyed good support and information, as well as great tyres. So thank you, and congratulations as this is your World Championship too.”
Sharon Antonaros, Director Motorcycle PBU EMEA Motorcycle Business Unit
“Dunlop’s participation in Moto2 is twofold; for the traction it creates with consumers being part of the highest category of motorcycle racing on a global basis and also for us to push our tyre development and technology. We have made strong technological gains with technology such as NTEC and most recently, the latest multi-tread compound technologies for our new RoadSmart II tyre were born on the race track. This is real, tangible technology transfer that is thanks to our efforts in Moto2. We have enjoyed a fantastic second season of Moto2, so congratulations to Stefan Bradl and the entire Viessmann Kiefer Racing team. Congratulations too for all Dunlop’s personnel who work tirelessly to ensure our racing and ultimately our road products are the very best they can be.”

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

Clinton Howe, Dunlop Motorsport Moto2 Co-ordinator:
“Congratulations to Stefan Bradl and the Viessmann Kiefer Racing team. Stefan won his championship by being the most consistent rider out there. 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.”