The time war between MotoGP and WSBK has been open since the two categories rubbed shoulders in the world of motorcycle speed. However, with a paddock populated by prototypes developed at great expense and designed for Grands Prix, the first city should have nothing to fear from the second whose competition consists of pitting machines from the series against each other. And yet, it happens when circuits are shared at different times, that the times are very close, calling into question the usefulness of such large investments in the category declared queen. And this year, with Pirelli being to WSBK what Michelin is to MotoGP, we could even fear a crime of lèse-majesté...
Between the WSBK and MotoGP, we could have surprises on the timesheet side when the two categories visit the same circuit on their calendar on different dates. Why ? That of a new tire brought this year by the unique manufacturer Pirelli : the SCQ. The Italian brand's announcement that it would replace the previous qualifying rubber with a new development came as a surprise. The rear tire with the designation SCQ is also intended to replace the SCX developed for the Superpole race, which was increasingly used in the main races.
During winter testing in Jerez and Portimão, Pirelli made Superbike riders test a new version of the SCQ. The progress made in Portugal has been incredible: with Toprak Razgatlioglu (yamaha), Jonathan Rhea (Kawasaki) and Alvaro Bautista (Ducati), three participants rode faster than the current course record, set in 1'40.219 min by the world champion Razgatlioglu during the race weekend in early October 2021. But with the SCX. The Turk was 0,6 seconds faster in 1'39.616 min.
Pirelli: “what we achieved in Portimão makes us proud”
Even faster lap times should be possible with the SCQ, the Pirelli manager said, Giorgio Barbier on speedweek. " What we achieved in Portimão makes us proud “said racing boss Pirelli. “ The new tire performed well and showed the potential to break significant lap times. The SCQ is a pure qualifier in the run-up to the Superpole race. Right now we're talking a few tenths of a second faster than the SCX. The SCX was originally designed for ten laps, but over time it became a full-distance racing tire ».
Pirelli is now working to ensure that this speed can also be produced in 10-lap sprint races on any circuit. “ At the moment we don't know if the tire will last ten laps at MotorLand Aragón ", admits Barber. “ But we are confident because we took a step forward between Jerez and Portimão. I would like to point out that the SCQ will certainly not become a racing tire. We are still in the early stages of development » he finishes.
