Bridgestone to quit MotoGP

Jerez - Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone will end its partnership with MotoGP at the end of the 2015 season, the company announced on Thursday.

Bridgestone has been a tyre supplier since 2002 from the start of the four-stroke machine era and they continued when the present day MotoGP championship was inaugurated in 2009.

The company enjoyed its first world title in 2007 when they supplied Casey Stoner's Ducati with the Yamaha of Valentino Rossi adding a second title in 2008 before Bridgestone became the sole supplier.

"The increase in our brand awareness since joining the series has been an excellent outcome for us, and we are proud that we have been involved in a series that continues to grow in popularity year-on-year," said Shu Ishibashi, the Bridgestone marketing vice-president.

"While Bridgestone will withdraw from the MotoGP championship after 2015, we are considering other opportunities to maintain our position as a key player for motorsports fans all around the world."