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Keeping the world’s fastest two-wheel racers under control as they traverse some of the most challenging racecourses provides a major challenge for those responsible for the design, engineering, manufacture and support of the braking systems.
For the 2024 season, Brembo continues its role as the exclusive brake system supplier for the MotoGP championship with all 22 riders relying on the Italian company’s expertise to slow and stop the fastest racing bikes this side of those competing in the top National Hot Rod Association drag races.
Since the 2002 establishment of the MotoGP class, every winning motorcycle has been equipped with Brembo brake components and this season, for the ninth-consecutive year, the Italian brand will be the sole supplier for the class.
The Brembo team working on the MotoGP program shares something with its customers – an enthusiasm for two-wheeling.
Mattia Tambolan, a Brembo Engineer for the past six years, believes being a rider is intrinsic to his work.
“If I wasn’t an enthusiast, I wouldn’t do this job,” said the 33-year-old. “Because when you hear the feelings from different riders, you understand [because of your also being a motorcycle rider] what they are saying. Talking with the rider or with the crew chief, the feedback from the rider is important; you have to understand [what he is saying] so you can translate this into results.
“So, I I’m pretty confident that being a rider helps you a lot when you’re doing this kind of work.”
The motorcycles upon which Tambolan and his colleagues apply their skills, under the rules of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) sanctioning body, are limited to 1000cm3 (1.0-liter) engines producing 240 horsepower. This power allows the 158kg (348-pound) bikes to have a maximum speed of 340km/hr (211 miles per hour).
The Brembo braking components include the GP4 monobloc caliper, a variety of carbon brake discs, an adjustable master cylinder and appropriate brake lines.
This monobloc aluminum caliper is machined from a solid piece of aluminum, features a radial attachment and four pistons. It is characterized by an amplification system that allows the braking torque to be increased: this means that the rider gets greater benefit from applying the same pressure to the brake lever.
A spring device on the anti-drag system reduces the residual torque and stops the pads and discs coming into contact with each other, which results in the bike slowing down.
Brembo provides teams with a range of carbon brake discs: five different diameters with each available in three material specifications (Finned, High Mass and Standard) for a total of 15 combinations. Ventilated discs with a diameter of 340mm and 355mm will be increasingly used on circuits such as Spielberg, Buddh, Motegi, Buriram and Sepang. During the season, most riders will focus on 340mm diameter discs, splitting between High Mass (high end) and Standard Mass (low end).
The full article can be found in the April 2024 issue of BrakeLine magazine.
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