Dunlop teams open Italian and Spanish superbike seasons in winning form

Dunlop-supported teams racing in the top levels of superbike racing in Italy and Spain celebrated their first wins of the season last weekend, with wins and thrilling racing across multiple classes in the Dunlop CIV round at Misano and ESBK races at Jerez.

The second season with Dunlop as the exclusive tire supplier to the Campionato Italiano Velocità (CIV) got underway at Misano with gripping action across categories. Alessandro Delbianco won both Superbike races while Davide Stirpe claimed the two wins in the new Production Bike class and Luca Ottaviani took the double in Supersport 600NG. 

The weekend also saw the introduction of the Sport Bike category, alongside popular classes for rising talent like Moto3 and PreMoto3.

As the exclusive tire partner, Dunlop provides a range of tires from its KR racing slick range to each class in CIV. Superbike riders can choose between two front and three rear options, including development tires as well as ‘off the shelf’ specifications. With a new lap record set by Delbianco in Saturday’s qualifying session on new development tires, including a front tire with a multi-tread compound, it is clear to see relentless progress in these new tires. Dunlop’s development process relies on data gathered in real-world racing environments, using championships such as CIV to test and validate new products before releasing them for use in other championships and as track day tires.

Dunlop CIV is back in action on 31 May - 1 June at Mugello, before further dates at Vallelunga, Misano, Imola and Mugello.

Spanish success in open competition

The Campeonato de España de Superbike (ESBK) features open tire competition in many of its classes, allowing Dunlop to prove its performance against competitor brands. At the end of last season, Dunlop riders filled the top three in the championship standings. To kick off 2025 with a statement of intent, the second and third placed riders last year - Borja Gomez and Ivo Lopes - took first and second in Sunday’s race, again with Dunlop. 

Gomez’s Team Honda Laglisse had further reason to celebrate: as well as the Superbike class win, Javier Palomera secured the Superstock class victory on Sunday, too. Meanwhile, Easyrace Team - Lopes’ outfit - enjoyed a pair of second-place finishes for David Muñoz in the highly competitive Supersport NG category.

Both the Laglisse and Easyrace teams will be key protagonists in the title battle this year fighting for victories with their Dunlop KR racing slicks. 

In addition to fighting in open tire competition in the two most prestigious categories, Dunlop is also the exclusive tire supplier to ESBK’s Moto4 class for future stars aged between 12 and 15. Marcos Vinagre won both races amid a field of 20 riders.

The ESBK season resumes on 21-22 June at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya before further rounds at MotorLand Aragón, Navarra, Estoril and a return to Jerez for the finale in November.