Cycle News

Cycle News 2013 Issue 29 July 23

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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VOL. 50 ISSUE 29 JULY 23, 2013 thirsty? Well, yes and no. It's a fantastic corner. But really, something needs to be done. But what? There's no really easy answer. Unlike equally thrilling corners on (for instance) the Isle of Man, there is a good chance of walking away from this one, albeit a bit giddy. There is plenty of run-off area, and plenty of medical attention. Plus Bruno, to pick up the pieces. Hayden suggested making the corner a little tighter so that it was necessary to brake: this at least would put some weight on the front, giving it a chance to grip. Valentino Rossi thought similarly. Some blamed Bridgestone and their controltire philosophy: limited choice (only two compounds available), exacerbated by the stiff construction of tires built to last. Past problems with crashes on the slow-to-warm rubber had already meant a change to something softer, but for this corner clearly not soft enough. How about an asymmetric dual compound front like that on the rear? Bridgestone had tried that already before the control-tire era. Riders hadn't liked it: queasy under braking, strange feeling. Front-end feel is a very crucial and sensitive matter. How about a complete tire rethink? Well that may be the only way – the stats show that though Dunlop runners in Moto2 and Moto3 also crashed at that turn, it was only four out of a total of 41 tumbles. Dunlops are often pretty ragged by race end, while Bridgestones sometimes look ready for another race. Endurance in this case equals high risk at the warm-up phase. The philosophy has been somewhat foisted on Bridgestone as control tire suppliers, seldom an enviable role. Just look at F1's hilarious exploding Pirellis… The worst solution hangs in the air: to turn the Waterfall into a trickle with a chicane at the top. Like those hanging over the barrier with me, and all the riders running past with their hearts in their mouths, I'd hate to see that happen. CN P119 LOOKING BACK 40 Years Ago July 31, 1973 We pitted the Norton 850 and Yamaha 750 against each other and put both bikes on the cover 40 years ago... Norton-mounted Dave Aldana cleaned up at the Ascot National TT – twice… Russian Jaroslav Falta traveled to Delta, Ohio, and won the Inter-AMA MX round over Heikki Mikkola. 30 Years Ago August 3, 1983 Tammy Kirk was featured on the cover 30 years ago to accompany our interview with the "First Lady" of dirt-track racing… David Bailey won and took over the points lead at the Foxboro Supercross… In only his second National start, rookie Doug Chandler topped the Santa Fe Short Track. 20 Years Ago July 27, 1993 Ricky Graham made history and the cover for winning for the fifth straight time at the Syracuse Mile doubleheader... Stefan Everts took top honors at the Budds Creek 250 USGP. Mike Kiedrowski was top American in second… Doug Polen was tops at Road Atlanta. 10 Years Ago July 23, 2003 We didn't leave anyone off this cover. Laguna Seca World Superbike winners Ruben Xaus and Pierfrancesco Chili, AMA Superbike winner Mat Mladin and Supermoto winner Jeff Ward all shared a piece of the front page… Geno Scali topped the NHRA Pro Stock Final at Gateway International Speedway. Subscribe to nearly 50 years of Cycle News Archive issues: www.CycleNews.com/Archives

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