Pirelli set to unveil all-new developmental rear tyre, SCX rear returns for action at Assen
The historic ‘Cathedral of Speed’ awaits, and outfitting the field’s riders, Pirelli continues to innovate as they bring out an all-new tyre
The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship will return for the 34th round of WorldSBK action at the iconic TT Assen Circuit for the Pirelli Dutch Round, kicking off on Friday, April 17th. Pirelli engineers have been hard at work devising new toys for the Championship’s riders, and for the second consecutive round, they are unveiling a new tyre. As opposed to last round’s debutant E1164 development soft front tyre, this round’s maiden performer will be a development soft tyre for the rear axle.
REAR TYRE SOLUTIONS: All-new development SC0 variety
World Superbike riders and their teams this weekend can count on the regular tyre range on the rear axle, the standard soft SC0 tyre, as well as the brand new F0298 development soft tyre. The development option is expected to provide greater stability and long-lasting performance over the full distance of the weekend’s races. Furthermore, riders will have access to the standard medium SC1 and wet intermediate tyres, full wet rain tyres, as well as the supersoft SCX tyre for use in Free Practice, the Tissot Superpole session and Superpole Race. The SCX variant was selected over the standard SCQ tyre this round due to the fast layout of the circuit and the potentially below-average temperatures.
FRONT TYRE SOLUTIONS: Four options at riders’ disposal
On the front axle, teams will be able to choose from the soft SC1 tyre and the medium SC2 compound for dry conditions. In the event of rain, which at Assen can never be counted out, riders will have intermediate wet and full wet options on the front.
WORLD SUPERSPORT ALLOCATIONS: Two options for each axle
For WorldSSP, the standard SC1 soft compound and SC2 medium compound are confirmed as the front wheel’s choices. As for the rear, teams will have the choice between the supersoft SCX tyre for their Free Practice and Superpole events and the soft SC0 tyre for all sessions.
BARBIER ON PIRELLI’S ASSEN SOLUTIONS: “Both fast and technical, Assen has a mix of low-, medium- and high-speed corners, as well as variable weather conditions”
On Pirelli’s tyre solutions for Round 3 at Assen, Pirelli’s Motorcycle Racing Director Giorgio Barbier said: “With the 2026 WorldSBK Pirelli Dutch Round, the Championship arrives at the TT Circuit Assen, one of the most iconic tracks in world motorcycling. Both fast and technical, Assen features a mix of low-, medium-, and high-speed corners, as well as often-variable weather conditions that, over the years, have played a decisive role in race outcomes. For the third round, Pirelli is providing teams and riders with a new development soft rear solution, the F0298. This tyre could represent a valid alternative to the standard SC0, with the goal of improving stability while ensuring a high level of consistency in race conditions. Taking into account the characteristics of the circuit and potentially low temperatures, our choice for qualifying and the Superpole Race has fallen on the supersoft SCX, which until last season was known as the development tyre E0126 and has become part of the standard range this year.”
All the action at Assen is set to kick off on Friday, April 17th! Don’t miss a moment, either Live or OnDemand with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
