[John]

I can't recall who said it but it was an ex MotoGP guy commenting about the power difference between his MotoGP bike and his WSBK bike. According to him, the power difference wasn't much.

Phillip Island really brought home the importance of tires and tire wear management and choice, it did to me. How glaring was the complete tire failure on the Bayliss bike. Even by going to a harder compound in round 2, Bayliss stated the same thing started again near the end of the race. He said it was a good thing he had a substancial lead on Toseland before that occurred. I don't think Toseland would have caught him anyway even if he was closer, it was obvious he was having tire problems too.

At the post race interview (race 2) Bayliss didn't sound complimentary towards Pirelli tires. I'll bet if he had a choice, he would have slapped Michelins on. Mandatory tire rules suck.

 

[John]

Well, everyone was on the same tires, so while tires were a problem for Bayliss in race one, it was a matter of bike setup and rider style. This isn't the first time, nor will it be the last, where a rider gaps the field and uses up his tires, only to slow down near the end and get passed.

After two rounds, I'm looking forward to every single race! This is great stuff!!!!

Smoothness is the key then. If Perelli tires are that sensitive then Corser is going to win ultimately because he is super smooth, most of the time. Uh, except when he highsided.

 

[John]

Bayliss' Front Tire, after Race 1:

Looks like any tire after a run at Thunderhill