WSBK becomes Pirelli only.

FGSport, organisers of the World Superbike Championship, have controversially confirmed that next season the series - together with the Supersport and Superstock classes - will run on one brand of tyre, made by Pirelli.

Although the official announcement pointed towards enabling ''all the participants to compete under the same conditions with respect to tyres, which makes the performance of motorcycle manufacturers, team members and riders all the more important,'' they have still effectively kicked out Dunlop and Michelin, the two brand leaders in the series.

Nevertheless, the agreement with Pirelli will last for at least the next two years, with the main benefit given being that no-one will have a tyre advantage/disadvantage...

However, that doesn't take into account the fact that the tyres provided - although all by Pirelli - are sure to suit some teams/riders/engine configurations more than others, so some will still be able to get a 'tyre advantage'.

''The agreement with Pirelli, a world leader in the manufacture of tyres, guarantees the development and the continuity of the Superbike World Championship, which has been the primary thought behind our Group that has been committed to the organization of the Championship since 1988,'' stated Maurizio Flammini, President of the FGSPORT Group.

''Moreover, the agreement strictly adheres to the philosophy of the Championship that is to offer equal racing conditions to all participants. In this respect, we would like to thank Pirelli for the significant organizational and technological efforts that it will undertake over the next few years which, we are certain, will create the ideal conditions for new, important developments for motorcycle manufacturers, teams and riders in the Championship and in racing itself.''

''For our Tyres Department the Superbike World Championship represents a challenge from both a technical and technological development point of view the maximum expression of live trials that support and finalize advanced research and development carried out in our laboratories all over the world,'' added Ugo Forner, General Manager of the Pirelli Motorcycle Business Unit.

''It is further confirmation of the importance that Pirelli has always attributed to the competition for two- and four-wheel production vehicles, in order to experiment innovative solutions and accumulate know-how that can be implemented in producing our high-performing tyres.''

Suddenly DFX Ducati - who currently run Pirellis - look to be a good outside bet for the 2004 crown...

Meanwhile, Dunlop and Michelin have both indicated that they are likely to contest their expulsion from the series.

The confirmation of one make Pirelli tyres is almost certain to mean that the factory teams will not return, which makes Neil Hodgson's planned move to MotoGP even more likely...