Pirelli unveils tyres for the first round of WorldSBK 2026

· New E0829 rear. This new tyre makes its debut, using the same medium compound as the D0922, a reference option for last year’s races, but unlike the latter it has a new structure designed to improve stability and performance consistency over race distance. The riders will therefore have two medium compound rears available for the races, while the E0125 soft compound specification can only be used for practice sessions and qualifying.

· WorldSSP with WorldSBK sizes. For the first time, the WorldSSP riders will use the 200/60 at the rear, which is usually the prerogative of the WorldSBK class, instead of the 190/60 size. Similarly, at the front, they will be able to choose between the SC1 in 120/70 or 125/70 size, the latter being a reference in WorldSBK. The decision to use these sizes for the Supersport is due to the fact that a larger footprint allows for better heat dissipation, reducing the risk of overheating. At the front, the riders will be able to decide, based on their riding style, whether to use the 120/70 they usually race with or the larger 125/70 size that is used in WorldSBK.

· Pre-season tests. Held on Monday and Tuesday at the Australian circuit, they were dominated in both classes by Ducati riders. Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was the fastest in WorldSBK, setting the best time in 1’28.630 in the fourth and final session on Tuesday afternoon. Jaume Masiá (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) led WorldSSP by setting the fastest lap for his class in 1’32.525, again in the final session of the two days.

A new WorldSBK rear and larger sizes in WorldSSP for the tricky Phillip Island
 
“Phillip Island is always a very demanding circuit for the tyres because of its particular layout and the extreme temperatures that the asphalt can reach on the hottest days, two characteristics that can cause a lot of thermo-mechanical stress. Based on the experience gained in past seasons, this year for the WorldSBK class we have developed a new rear solution in the medium compound, the E0829 specification, which should offer more consistent performance over race distance than the D0922 specification that was the reference for testing and racing in 2025. At the same time, we have decided to use the sizes normally adopted in Superbike also for the Supersport class, which will therefore have the 200/65 rear instead of the 190/60 and the 125/70 front in addition to the 120/70 which allows heat to be dissipated more effectively thanks to a greater heat exchange surface with the asphalt, reducing the risk of overheating. This is a phenomenon that we often find ourselves managing on this circuit, especially when the air temperatures, and therefore the asphalt ones, are very high. At the front, we have decided to offer the SC1 in both sizes, so as to allow each rider to choose the combination they prefer according to their riding style. In the two days of testing that preceded the race weekend, the riders and teams worked well, so we are confident that they will be able to find the best setup to better manage tyre wear, which is always very pronounced on this track.”