Bridgestone offers a broader tyre range at Brno

The Brno circuit opens the second half of the 2011 season and it is a significant race for Bridgestone as it is the first at which the new tyre supply regulations come into effect.

Compared to last year, this season Bridgestone have selected softer rear slicks for Brno and they are also asymmetric for the first time in the single supply era. Under the new tyre allocation rules every rider will also now have a choice of three compounds of front slicks with an additional soft compound option being made available for increased safety in the case of low ambient and track temperature.

In addition, every rider will also have a choice of rear slick tyre compounds – instead of being prescribed five tyres of each of the two available compounds, from Brno onwards each rider can now make a choice after FP2 of whether he wants six of the softer and four of the harder or vice versa, or five of each.

The Brno circuit is characterised by its dramatic changes of elevation which total more than 73 metres from the circuit’s highest point to its lowest, and this rollercoaster of tarmac creates specific challenges for tyres.

Weight transfer of the bikes is affected by the elevation, which consequently generates increased pressure on the tyres. Downhill sections throw weight forward, especially under braking, and so a strong front tyre is required for good stability. This is why Brno is one of only a handful of races all season for which Bridgestone have selected extra hard compound front slicks.

The importance of good corner exit speed is greater at Brno as it enables the machines to achieve improved drive and speed along the steep uphill sections of the circuit. This means good rear traction is very important to allow riders to open the throttle as early as possible. Here the uphill elevation changes actually help the rear tyres find even more grip by transferring weight to the rear of the bike, helping to force the rear tyre onto the tarmac.

Hiroshi Yamada - Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Department

“The Czech Republic Grand Prix is the first for our new tyre supply system and I am confident that with it we will be able to answer satisfactorily what the riders have been asking for in terms of a greater choice of softer compounds specifically to improve warm-up performance. Brno is an abrasive circuit so grip is usually quite high, but I expect the softer compound options to be well used in the cooler morning sessions in particular. After a summer break since the last round at Laguna Seca, I’m sure everyone is recharged and eager to get back to racing and I hope that in changing our tyre supply system we can play our part in contributing to close competition and an exciting title race in the second half of this season.”

Upson snapped up by Stoke

Stoke have signed former West Ham centre-back Matthew Upson on a free transfer, with the England international agreeing a two-year deal.

The 32-year-old was released by the relegated Hammers, after his contract expired at the end of last season.

He follows former international defender Jonathan Woodgate to the club, after the ex-Tottenham centre-back agreed a deal last month having been released by the Londoners.

"This is another fantastic deal for this football club when you consider the quality and experience of the lad," manager Tony Pulis told stokecityfc.com.

"We now have strength in depth in our defence with Matthew and Jonathan on board and we've managed to achieve that without a significant outlay on transfer fees, which is quite remarkable in today's market of vastly inflated prices."

Pulis added: "Their experience of performing at the highest level will be a valuable asset to us because we have some good young defenders and a young goalkeeper."

Copa Italian 2011 Inter VS Milan

Inter Milan lost to crosstown rivals AC Milan in the Italian Super Cup Saturday despite taking the lead in the 22nd minute. 

In-demand midfielder Wesley Sneijder fired him team in front with a great free kick after a hard foul from Gennaro Gattuso, who was lucky to remain on the pitch afterwards.

Inter controlled the game for much of the first half and early in the second until their former star Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled Milan level with a header in the 60th minute. Kevin-Prince Boateng scored the winner nine minutes later.

Alonso still harbours title hopes

Speaking at Ferrari's summer press event at the Madonna di Campaglio, the Spaniard said that while the odds were long, it was still possible to close the gap if kept winning andRed Bull's driver ran into a barren spell.

"We must try and win as many races as possible," he said. "We are realistic and the championship situation is what it is, but we have seen so often that there can be sudden reversals. And after all, we are Ferrari and we have a moral obligation, especially for the millions of fans spread around the world, to always think of the maximum goal.

"We can't ever say we will tackle eight races without having the championship in the back of our mind: we will always have an eye on the title, at least until there is no longer the slightest chance.