The third round of this season’s 18-event championship took place at the Estoril Circuit in Portugal last weekend with Fiat Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi scoring a second consecutive podium result on Bridgestone tyres, finishing in third place after a tough 28-lap grand prix. Other strong performances from John Hopkins and reigning world champion Casey Stoner made it three Bridgestone-shod riders in the top six, but it was not an easy weekend for the tyre manufacturer, with uncharacteristically unsettled Portuguese weather adding to the difficulties over the three days.