Synergies at Ducati: World Superbike data accelerates MotoGP development

With the switch from Michelin to Pirelli, the 2027 MotoGP season is set to face one of the biggest technical changes in recent years. For Ducati, however, this upheaval could prove less drastic than for its rivals. This is because the Italians, thanks to their long-standing involvement in the Superbike World Championship, have a wealth of experience with tyres from the Italian manufacturer.

Pirelli has been the sole tyre supplier to the production-based World Championship since 2004. During this time, Ducati has gathered a vast amount of data and has continuously developed its motorbikes using the Italian tyres. This knowledge is now being channelled directly into the development of the new 850 cm³ MotoGP machine for 2027.

Closer collaboration between MotoGP and Superbike engineers

“Yes, definitely,” confirmed Ducati technical coordinator Marco Zambenedetti in an exclusive interview with SPEEDWEEK.com when asked whether the exchange between the Superbike and MotoGP departments had intensified recently. “We work very closely together. Within Ducati Corse, there are engineers who specialise in analysing tyre data. I myself follow both championships.”

Right at the start of the current season, Ducati began passing on the expertise it had built up over the years to the MotoGP department. “We’ve started passing on as much of our experience as possible to them,” explained Zambenedetti. “They now have enough information. The main focus now is on getting to know the Pirelli tyres developed for MotoGP.”

Marco Zambenedetti

Foto: Ducati

Topic of the week

From major doubts to a major spectacle: why GP fans have reason to be delighted

Before the start of the season, critical voices dominated, but the World Championship rounds so far have shown that the rule changes are delivering exactly what was hoped for: excitement right up to the final lap.

Read more

TV program

Live

Donington Park: FP1

FIM Superbike World Championship

10.07.2026 - 11:15

This wealth of experience is valuable, but cannot be transferred on a one-to-one basis. This is because the Pirelli tyres developed for MotoGP differ from those used in the World Superbike Championship. “Of course, these aren’t exactly the same tyres that we use here,” the Italian clarified.

Both Ducati projects benefit from each other

Whilst the MotoGP engineers benefit from the insights gained in Superbike, the transfer of knowledge is also flowing in the other direction. This is because, from 2027, the Superbike World Championship will also have a new sole tyre supplier in Michelin. “At the same time, we’re doing exactly the opposite with Michelin,” revealed Zambenedetti. The Superbike department is therefore already gathering information from MotoGP in order to prepare for the tyre change as early as possible.

For Ducati, this two-way transfer of knowledge is an advantage that should not be underestimated. Whilst manufacturers such as Aprilia and KTM, lacking a current World Superbike Championship project, cannot draw on comparable Pirelli experience from a world championship, Ducati can draw on more than two decades of development work with the Italian tyres.

The regular riders gathered their first insights with the new 850-cm³ prototype as early as mid-June during testing at Brno following the Czech Grand Prix. Another important test session is planned for September in Spielberg, as preparations for the new MotoGP era gather further momentum.