Pirelli is preparing to face the Circuit of Catalunya: with standard and development solutions for WorldSBK as WorldSSP sees a new rear development solution in a soft compound
The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship makes a stop for the first time in its history in Barcelona, for the sixth round of the season. Pirelli presents for the Supersport class a new rear development solution in addition to the two standard options
For the first time in the history of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, the Circuit of Catalunya-Barcelona becomes part of the 2020 calendar and thus becomes the sixth track in Spain to host a round of the production-derived motorcycle championship. The Acerbis Catalunya Round takes place next weekend from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th September and represents an extremely significant appointment for the title race.
With three events remaining until the end of the Championship, the Catalan round could mark an important milestone in the run-up to the world titles. In WorldSBK the challenge is still open between five-time world champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK / Kawasaki ZX-10RR), currently first in the overall standings, and Ducati rider Scott Redding (ARUBA.IT Racing - Ducati / Ducati Panigale V4 R ) just thirty-six points away. In WorldSSP instead, Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team / Yamaha YZF R6) dominates the championship standings with seventy-nine points behind second-placed Jules Cluzel and could win the world title in Barcelona.
One of the highlights of the Catalan capital, the Circuit of Catalunya-Barcelona was inaugurated in 1992 in view of the Olympic Games. It is 4.627 kilometres long and has 16 corners, eight of which on the right and six on the left. Most of the corners are wide and very fast, and are interchanged with straights that allow riders to reach speeds as high as 320 km/h. The circuit is undulating and is considered a very technical track, with several points that can put a strain on the bike and the rider. Among others, it is worth noting the first braking point after the start finish line, at the end of the very long straight, where we will see the bikes engaged in one of the most demanding braking sections of the year. The races of the premier class will each count twenty laps of the track for a total distance of 93.1 kilometres.
The solutions for the WorldSBK and WorldSSP classes:
In the WorldSBK class, all riders will have available a selection of development solutions, all previously used, and standard solutions, giving a total of seven options available; three front and four rear.
For the front tyre, the three available solutions are made up of two standard options and one development option. The standard SC1 represents the most successful tyre during the last round, while the standard SC2 is an evolution of the development SC2 X1071, used during the course of last year. The medium development solution SC2 X1118 will also be available, it could be more stable than the standard SC2 and on this circuit could be the ideal choice for riders with an aggressive riding style.
As for the rear tyre, the riders have four options at their disposal. The first is the super soft standard SCX. The second option, the soft standard SC0, is joined by the soft development solution SC0 Y0446, which has a more high performing compound, ideal in the event of particularly high asphalt temperatures. The last option consists of the medium development solution SC1 Y0966, which also presents a more high-performance compound and guarantees an improved performance thanks to a larger footprint. The last rear option is represented by the Superpole tyre that will allow the riders to make a quick lap during the Tissot Superpole session in search of the absolute best time to position themselves on the starting grid.
In the WorldSSP category, on the other hand, there will be five dry solutions available to the riders, two for the front and three for the rear. For the front, riders will have a standard soft SC1 compound and a medium SC2 compound, which allows for more wear resistance than the first. As for the rear, on top of the standard soft SC0 compound and the standard medium SC1 compound, riders of this category will have available a new development solution Z0360. This tyre debuts on the Montmelò circuit and presents a softer compound compared to the standard SC0 with the objective to improve the performance in particular when in hot conditions or on low grip asphalts.
As always, in case of bad weather, riders of all classes will have rain and intermediate tyres available.
