reach, as WorldSBK currently has
only one long-haul race (Austra-
lia) and may continue on that
path into 2026. Until relatively
recently, there were also "fly-
away" rounds in Asia (Indonesia)
and South America (Argentina)
for WorldSBK, but that's no
longer the case. This must be
frustrating for a global company
like Pirelli.
That said, it is clear that Pirelli
wanted to stay in WorldSBK and
also take on all of MotoGP's
needs.
They have been the only tire
supplier in WorldSBK since 2004
and were the first company to
demonstrate that it's possible to
be a successful sole tire supplier
while fully leveraging that op
-
portunity as the leading edge of
technology to enhance their race
and road products.
Pirelli and WorldSBK have
been synonymous for over two
decades. They are currently a
WorldSBK "Top Sponsor," but
that will end after 2026.
For Michelin, once masters of
the entire high-end bike racing
universe when they outspent
and out-teched everyone else
in both MotoGP and WorldSBK
during the era of open tire com
-
petition, WorldSBK became an
obvious choice for 2027. And
maybe something of a Hobson's
Choice, given that they had lost
the MotoGP class gig? If they
wanted to maintain a significant
marketing and branding pres
-
ence in global racing, the logic
seems inescapable.
Additionally, WorldSBK (or
EWC, or any other form of pro
-
duction-derived racing) serves
as a more market-relevant test
of their products than producing
more exotic, small-production
offerings in MotoGP. Their own
press release hinted at this.
Matthieu Bonardel, Director
of Michelin Motorsport, stated
in the official press communica
-
tion, "We are very pleased to be
able to commit so quickly to a
world-class motorcycle racing
championship starting in 2027.
WorldSBK offers an ideal envi-
ronment to bring our technolo-
gies even closer to those used
by all riders, whether on the track
or on the road. The audience
of this championship is mainly
made up of enthusiasts who
own supersport motorcycles. For
them, we will do everything pos
-
sible to deliver high-quality enter-
tainment, supported by tires with
outstanding performance."
Interesting tire times are
ahead for MotoGP and World-
SBK, but from 2027, remember,
as each new arrangement does
not start until the end of 2026.
Gordon Ritchie
VOLUME ISSUE JUNE , P33
Michelin will switch from MotoGP
to WorldSBK from 2027, just as
Pirelli goes the other way.
