P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Michelin and Pirelli are essentially swapping MotoGP and World Superbikes for 2027 – which will intrigue riders out of contract
Michelin will take over as the control tyre manufacturer for the World Superbike Championship starting from 2027, replacing Pirelli. This shift is part of a larger set of regulation changes and also involves Pirelli taking over Michelin’s MotoGP deal.
The decision to switch tyre suppliers in both championships has been anticipated for weeks, with Michelin showing a keen interest in focusing on the World Superbike Championship. This move is significant as the World Superbike series has been using Pirelli tyres exclusively since switching to a single manufacturer in 2004.
Michelin’s strategy in the production bike championship is part of a larger marketing shift, focusing on targeting owners of road-going superbikes with their investments in WSBK. The director of Michelin Motorsport, Matthieu Bonardel, expressed excitement about the opportunity to bring their technologies closer to all riders in both racing and everyday riding scenarios.
The announcement comes at a crucial time for MotoGP riders, as many contracts are set to expire by the end of the 2026 season. Potential changes in the rider lineup are expected, with riders like Miguel Oliveira, Jack Miller, and Franco Morbidelli being linked to potential moves to World Superbikes.
The switch between championships also played a role in Toprak Razgatlioglu’s decision to transition from World Superbikes to MotoGP in 2026, allowing him to adapt to the different machines and tyres ahead of Pirelli’s arrival in the premier class the following year.
