Dunlop riders win championship titles in five of eight ESBK classes

Five Dunlop-equipped riders were crowned champions at the season finale of the 2026 Campeonato de España de Superbike (ESBK) season, held at Circuito de Jerez Ángel Nieto on Sunday. Five of the championship’s eight titles, including four open-tire competition classes, went to Dunlop riders after another season of close racing across Spain and Portugal.

ESBK's open-tire format across multiple categories allows Dunlop to demonstrate the performance and competitiveness of its products against rival manufacturers. Throughout the season, Dunlop supported riders across six categories: Superbike, Supersport, Supersport 300, Superstock 600, Superstock 1000 and Pre-Talent. Four of these are open-tire competition categories, while Dunlop is the exclusive tire supplier to the Supersport 300 and Pre-Talent classes.

Several championship battles went down to the final rounds, with the Superbike, Superstock 600 and Pre-Talent titles all still to be decided heading into the season finale at Jerez. In the Superbike class, Honda Laglisse rider Javier Palomera ultimately secured the championship, finishing ahead of Dunlop-equipped Ivo Lopes, who took second place in the open-tire competition with the BMW Easyrace Team, who also celebrated success in the Superstock 1000 category, where Mauro González claimed the title. In Superstock 600, José Luis Armario secured a race victory in the final race at Jerez to round off the season.

The Supersport championship was equally closely contested, with the title also decided in the final race. Marcos Ludeña secured second place for Team Speed Racing, while Yeray Ruiz finished third with Team Honda Laglisse, giving Dunlop-equipped riders two of the three podium positions in the open-tire class.

In the Dunlop-exclusive categories, Marc Vich secured the Supersport 300 title, claiming the Kawasaki Ninja Spirit Trophy title in the process. In the Pre-Talent class, Marcos Vinagre was crowned champion at Jerez, with Javier Vigueras and Jose Luis Cagigas joining him on the podium to secure another all-Dunlop top three.

Supporting the next generation of racing talent

Dunlop's involvement in ESBK sees riders compete on a range of tires from its KR racing slick range, including development tires as well as ‘off the shelf’ specifications. with dedicated wet-weather options also available to provide performance in changing conditions. Dunlop’s development process relies on data gathered in real-world racing environments, using championships such as ESBK to test and validate new products before releasing them for use in other championships and as track day tires.

The commitment to motorcycle racing and the development of future talent also extends to the Campionato Italiano Velocità (CIV) and FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), where Dunlop has secured a new multi-year agreement as the exclusive supplier to the Superstock and Production Trophy classes. 

The 2026 CIV season saw six more champions crowned on Dunlop tires, further underlining the brand's involvement in supporting riders and teams across multiple levels of competition.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said: “It's great to see Dunlop-equipped riders achieve such strong results in the 2026 ESBK season, with championship titles secured across multiple categories and two all-Dunlop podiums in Supersport 300 and Pre-Talent. We're incredibly proud of what our riders and teams have achieved this season and of the role Dunlop has played in their success. These results are a testament to their dedication and hard work throughout the year. Congratulations to all the newly crowned champions.”