Pirelli extends British Superbikes partnership

The British Superbike Championship motorcycling series has agreed a five-year extension of its partnership with tyre supplier, Pirelli.

The Italian company has been confirmed as the presenting sponsor and sole tyre supplier of the championship for the 2016 to 2020 seasons. The two parties have been in partnership since 2008.

As well as the Superbike series, the deal will also see Pirelli partner with the Supersport and Superstock 1000 and 600 classes.

The agreement continues the link between World and British Superbikes, with the international series introducing an agreement with Pirelli for single tyre supply back in 2004.

Stuart Higgs, series and race director of the British Superbike Championship, said: “This marks the eighth season working together, and, in that time, we have witnessed a level-playing field for riders and teams, combined with a great consistency of product. This year especially we have seen lap records fall spectacularly, which is particularly impressive when you think we have no electronic aids in BSB and that these times have all been achieved on production tyres.”

Giorgio Barbier, racing activities director of Pirelli’s Business Unit Moto, added: “The relationship between the production bike derived World Championship and the British Superbikes has always been strong as we can also notice from the nationality of the first four riders in the World Superbike Championship standings this year. They are all UK riders and all with a past in BSB and for us this is an important message: we will continue supporting promising riders, offering them the chance to do wild cards in some rounds of World Superbike so that they will have the possibility to show their talent to a worldwide audience.”