Michelin Named Official WorldSBK Tire Supplier Starting 2027

The motorsport world welcomed a significant announcement that Michelin will become the official tire supplier for the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) starting in the 2027 season. This five-year agreement marks a pivotal shift following Michelin’s exit from MotoGP in 2026. What does this move mean for WorldSBK, and how does Michelin plan to capitalize on this opportunity?

Michelin, the French tire manufacturer, has served as MotoGP’s sole tire supplier since 2016 but announced its withdrawal from the championship at the end of 2026, with Pirelli taking over. In response, Michelin sought a new racing platform to showcase its technological prowess, and WorldSBK, also managed by Dorna, emerged as a strategic fit. WorldSBK, encompassing the main WorldSBK class, WorldSSP, WorldSPB, and WorldWCR, offers a platform to develop tires relevant to production motorcycles.

On June 18, 2025, Michelin confirmed its partnership with WorldSBK as the exclusive tire supplier for all championship categories from 2027 to 2031. The announcement validated rumors that surfaced during the French Grand Prix at Le Mans in May 2025, when Michelin first expressed interest. The deal includes supplying tires for WorldSBK, WorldSSP (Supersport), WorldSPB (Sportbike), and WorldWCR (FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship), making Michelin the sole supplier across all WorldSBK classes.

Matthieu Bonardel, Director of Michelin Motorsport, stated, “We are thrilled to commit to a world-class motorcycle championship starting in 2027. WorldSBK is an ideal platform to develop tires that combine high performance, durability, and cost efficiency.” Michelin emphasized leveraging its MotoGP expertise to bring innovation to WorldSBK, focusing on tires that enhance racing performance while remaining relevant to road-going consumers.

Michelin’s shift to WorldSBK reflects a strategic move to maintain prominence in motorcycle racing post-MotoGP. Unlike MotoGP, which uses prototype bikes, WorldSBK relies on production-based motorcycles, allowing Michelin to develop tires closer to commercial products. The agreement presents new technical challenges, such as tailoring tires for diverse WorldSBK classes with varying bike specifications, from 1000cc superbikes to 600cc supersports. Michelin’s MotoGP experience, particularly in managing tire pressure and wet-weather stability, could provide a competitive edge in WorldSBK.

This move heralds a new era for WorldSBK, which has relied on Pirelli as its tire supplier since 2004. The switch to Michelin is expected to alter racing dynamics, as Michelin tires offer distinct characteristics, such as more progressive grip compared to Pirelli’s. Teams and riders will need to adapt to the new tires starting in 2027, potentially influencing race strategies and bike setups. For Michelin, WorldSBK serves as a laboratory for innovation, strengthening their brand in the high-performance motorcycle market.

Michelin faces the challenge of adapting its tire technology to WorldSBK’s demands, which prioritize durability and consistency across varied circuits. Unlike MotoGP, WorldSBK features multiple classes with distinct bike specifications, requiring a versatile tire design approach. The transition from Pirelli to Michelin will necessitate extensive testing in 2026 to ensure optimal performance. WorldSBK teams will also need to adjust their bike setups, which may pose technical hurdles in the partnership’s early stages.

From 2027, Michelin will bring its proven MotoGP technical expertise to WorldSBK, potentially elevating the championship’s competitiveness. Tire testing will commence in 2026, allowing teams time to adapt. With a contract through 2031, Michelin has the opportunity to shape WorldSBK’s future, both in racing performance and consumer product innovation. Meanwhile, Pirelli’s move to MotoGP in 2027 creates an intriguing dynamic across both championships.

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