It was due given Bridgestone’s reputation as MotoGP’s sole wheel suppliers, their 50th premier class win is a historic moment for the Japanese tyre company and has arrived as a result of much hard work.

With wins over their rivals going back to 2004 when they received their initial victory with Makoto Tamada and Honda in Brazil, Bridgestone’s position as the sole tyre supplier in MotoGP’s squads has proven an excellent season of racing.

With Casey Stoner the victor over Valentino Rossi by less than two seconds at Phillip Island, both competitors were on softer front and rear Bridgestone wheels as they challenged each other to within 0.03seconds of the track record, mid-race the pair were separated by less than one tenth of a second.

Praise has been abundant for Bridgestone through the season and they are due to claim victories as their partnership with MotoGP excels.

Commenting on the achievement, Hiroshi Yasukawa, Bridgestone Corporation’s Director, says, “I’d like to congratulate Casey and the Ducati team for their victory in Australia and for marking the 50th win on our tyres. It is apt that Casey took this win as it was he who took the first World Championship on our tyres in 2007.”

“We are proud to have achieved this milestone, and whilst this is the first of three years for us as the Official Tyre Supplier, it is important to note that almost three quarters of these victories came in the tyre competition era, and that it was our success and the performance of our tyres that saw us become the sole supplier. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dorna and the FIM for their continued support, and wish each MotoGP team and rider the greatest success for the remainder of this season and beyond.”