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The Pirelli tyre solutions for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field at the Circuito Estoril have been revealed, with a new front development tyre available to the competitors at the EICMA Estoril Round. Pirelli have opted to introduce a development SC1 front tyre at the Portuguese venue, while the SCQ tyre – the softest in the range – is once again available after not being selected for Aragon.

REAR TYRE OPTIONS: Two development, one standard, as SCQ returns

For the rear tyre choices at Estoril, teams and riders have three to pick from. The E0126 development SCX is in the allocation – this time with its use not limited, unlike at Aragon – with the SC0 soft, from the standard range, also available. The SC0 is the only standard slick tyre available at the rear. For the Tissot Superpole session and Tissot Superpole Race, the SCQ is in the allocation; it’s the development E0479 solution, using the same compound as the standard but featuring an innovative structure to increase consistency, improve the contact patch and stability.

AT THE FRONT: Two SC1 choices along with the SC2

For the front tyre choices, there are three tyres from two compounds. From the standard range, the SC2 hard is the hardest of the three while there are two SC1 tyres available. The standard medium is part of the allocation, as is the development E0672 version. This tyre features the same compound with a new structure, aiming to offer greater stability under braking and in corner entry.

WORLD SUPERSPORT TYRES: Two standard solutions for front and rear

The WorldSSP field also has a range of standard tyres to choose from at Estoril. For the rear, the choices are the SC0 soft and the SCX supersoft – the softest available in WorldSSP – while the two front tyres are also from the standard range. The SC2 medium is the harder of the two, while the softest is the SC1 soft.

PIRELLI SAYS: “The main new feature of this round is the introduction of a new medium front development tyre, the E0672”

Discussing the tyre allocation, Pirelli’s Motorcycle Racing Director, Giorgio Barbier, said: “We have a very solid data history on Estoril, which gives us a fairly clear picture of tyre performance on this track. The asphalt hasn’t been resurfaced since 2006, and we know that grip levels are not particularly high, while the layout is quite varied. That’s why we consider the Portuguese circuit moderately demanding for tyres, which are subjected to numerous stresses. The main new feature of this round is the introduction of a new medium front development tyre, the E0672. It derives from the standard SC1, sharing the same compound but featuring a different structure, designed to provide better support under braking and during corner entry. As for the rear, two previously known development specs return. If conditions allow its use, we’ll see how the extrasoft E0479 performs—this tyre was well received at its debut but still needs to be evaluated on different tracks, and Estoril offers a great opportunity in that sense. For the long races, we’re relying on the supersoft E0126, which has already proven to be extremely versatile, with strong performance and consistency. Both compounds should play a key role in compensating for the naturally low grip of the track, as well as in managing the typical temperature differences between the right and left sides of the tyre. In case of cooler asphalt temperatures, the standard SC0 remains an excellent alternative, as demonstrated by Razgatlioglu win in Race1 last year using this option.”

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