Bridgestone is preparing to release the RACING BATTLAX V03, a track-only tire aimed at both professional and amateur riders who are chasing faster lap times. The new slick will roll out to both the European and North American markets in 2026, marking the next evolution of Bridgestone’s long-running race tire line.
The headline promise is grip — specifically, what the company claims are the highest grip levels in the history of the BATTLAX series. The V03 uses newly developed compounds derived from Bridgestone's ongoing work in top-level motorcycle racing, including the FIM Endurance World Championship, where Bridgestone-supported teams have taken the title for the past five consecutive years. That development pipeline shows up here in the form of new compound chemistry and a revised tire profile.
Both the front and rear V03 tires use a completely redesigned profile, which Bridgestone says increases the contact patch and helps generate more consistent drive off corners. The rear tire also benefits from advanced manufacturing techniques meant to optimize its shape specifically for improving lap times. In direct comparison testing against its predecessor, the RACING BATTLAX V02 in SOFT compound, Bridgestone reports the V03 reduced lap times by 1.3% per lap — while maintaining grip levels deeper into a session.
For the first time, Bridgestone is also introducing a rear SPRINT spec. Where the standard V03 compound targets durability and consistency across multiple laps, the SPRINT version prioritizes peak grip for shorter race formats or riders who want the highest possible traction at the cost of longevity. That setup delivered a 1.9% reduction in lap times compared to the V02 SOFT compound in the company’s internal testing, again underlining how narrowly the tire is optimized for outright speed.
Bridgestone frames its race program as a “mobile laboratory,” a test environment where compounding and production techniques are refined before reaching the commercial lineup. With the RACING BATTLAX V03 positioned as the flagship of the next generation of racing tires, the company is presenting it as the beginning of a broader shift in how its competition slicks are engineered.
The tire will launch in the following configurations:
- Front: 120/70R17 in Soft and Soft-Medium, arriving in 2026
- Rear: 190/60R17 in two compounds (availability beginning 2027)
- Rear: 200/60R17 in Soft, Medium, and SPRINT, arriving 2026
Exact compound designations for the 190/60 rear will be confirmed closer to release.
Bridgestone ties the V03 to its broader corporate direction, emphasizing rider confidence and high-grip performance as part of what it calls its “Dan-Totsu” philosophy — the aim to be the clear leader in its category.
Whether that plays out on club racing grids or international endurance circuits, the V03 enters the conversation as a tire designed for one job: go faster, and do it with less tire-managing compromise.
