Taking place on the shores of Faaker See, Austria, European Bike Week attracts tens of thousands of riders each year, alongside a wide range of motorcycles, live entertainment, custom bike displays, demo rides and industry exhibitors.

Dunlop will once again support the event as sponsor of the Harley-Davidson® Parade, further strengthening its longstanding association with Harley-Davidson motorcycles and riders.

Dunlop and Avon will each have dedicated exhibition spaces, showcasing products from across both brands' ranges. Since Avon joined the Goodyear family of brands in 2022, the two have exhibited together at major events including EICMA, BMW Motorrad Days and the Salon du 2 Roues in Paris.

Visitors to the stands can explore Dunlop's range of co-branded Harley-Davidson tires, while Avon will showcase its expanded Cobra Chrome range for custom and cruiser motorcycles.

The Dunlop stand will also feature a branded hospitality bus and the returning Ape Hanger Challenge, where visitors can test their strength for the chance to win a free set of Harley-Davidson co-branded tires each day.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager Motorcycle Europe, Goodyear, said: “Dunlop and Avon have a proud heritage in the cruiser and touring motorcycle segment, and European Bike Week is a fantastic opportunity to meet thousands of passionate riders from across Europe. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our stands, where they can discover our biggest ever range of Dunlop and Avon tires for cruiser, custom and touring bikes, as well as take part in some fun challenges.”

Earlier this year, Dunlop was selected as the exclusive tire supplier for the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, supplying dedicated racing tires to teams competing in the MotoGP-supporting championship. Visitors to European Bike Week may choose to combine the festival with the 2026 Bagger World Cup finale at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg on 19-20 September.

Harley-Davidson® European Bike Week® takes place at Faaker See, Austria between 8-13 September 2026. The Harley-Davidson Parade sponsored by Dunlop will commence on Saturday, 12 September at 12:00 from Rosental Street near the Pogöriacher roundabout and Harley-Davidson sculpture.

As the exclusive tire supplier to the Superstock Trophy class, Dunlop will support all 15 teams on the grid, including five permanent European entries. A further five privateer teams have chosen Dunlop tires to compete in the Formula EWC category, including the No. 6 ERC Endurance Team, which has already demonstrated the performance and versatility of Dunlop's KR range throughout the season, as well as two teams in the Experimental class.

Suzuka’s combination of high temperatures, intense humidity and a demanding circuit layout makes it one of the toughest races on the calendar, testing both rider endurance and tire performance from start to finish. This year’s Suzuka 8 Hours takes place one month earlier than usual, which may result in slightly cooler temperatures, although the expected humidity and potential for rain will continue to make conditions demanding throughout the race.

Dunlop is well positioned to provide trusted support for competitors in these challenging conditions thanks to the extensive endurance racing experience and combined expertise from its European and Japanese motorsport operations. To help teams perform at their best, Dunlop will supply its proven KR range, but both Formula EWC and Superstock teams will also benefit from a new slick tire range, developed and validated with EWC teams in 2025 to further enhance durability and performance.

"After two great races at Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps, we're looking forward to returning to Suzuka for one of the most demanding events of the season," said David Auerbacher, International Motorcycle Race Event Leader, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe.

“Suzuka is unlike any other event on the EWC calendar. By combining the experience gained across international endurance racing with the expertise of our European and Japanese motorsport teams, we have developed a tire package tailored to the unique demands of this race. Our goal is to give every Dunlop-equipped team the support they need to focus fully on the challenge ahead and unlock maximum performance throughout eight hours of racing in some of the toughest conditions of the season.”

Please click on the link in the Downloads section to access the Dunlop press pack for this weekend's Suzuka 8 Hours.

Despite a weather-affected schedule reducing the event to five races, riders using Dunlop tires claimed three victories and nine podium finishes around the legendary Mountain Course. Domination across the Supersport and Sportbike classes, combined with front-running pace in the Superbike races, demonstrated the versatility and consistent performance of the latest generation of Dunlop KR slick racing tires.

Dunlop supported more than 15 riders throughout the two-week event, providing multiple specifications of KR108 and KR108+ rear tires depending on category, and front tires from the KR109+ range. A team of Dunlop track support engineers provided advice to all Dunlop-supported riders, including guidance on the most appropriate tire specification for the ever-changing weather conditions. 

The Isle of Man TT presents one of the toughest challenges in motorcycle racing, taking place on a 37.73-mile (61 km) course of public roads through sleepy villages, narrow lanes and mountain passes. Dunlop’s experienced trackside support team works closely with riders and teams throughout practice and race week to optimise tire selection and setup for speeds of almost 200 mph (320 km/h).

Temperatures ranged from warm sunshine in practice week through to a cold, damp race week. After his fourth-place finish in Tuesday’s Sportbike race, TT lap record holder Peter Hickman declared it the “wettest” he had ever ridden the circuit. The changeable weather conditions underlined the impressive versatility of the Dunlop KR tires, which provided instant pace and multiple-lap durability across the classes.

Michael Dunlop continued his remarkable TT record with Dunlop tires, winning both Supersport races and the Sportbike race. Beyond the race wins, Dunlop-supported riders consistently featured at the front of the field. Peter Hickman recorded top-four finishes in every race, while Josh Brookes and Ian Hutchinson both featured inside the top five. Across the five races, Dunlop riders occupied 9 of the 15 possible podium positions and 14 of the 25 possible top-five spots. 

This week’s TT success comes after race wins for both Michael Dunlop and Peter Hickman in the North West 200 road races in May. In the world of circuit racing, Dunlop KR racing slicks have also been in action this weekend in the FIM Endurance World Championship’s 8 Hours of Spa on Saturday, and the Dunlop Campionato Italiano Velocità event at Imola.

“The Isle of Man TT is an event like no other, and rider confidence in tires is crucial when facing a track like this at an average speed of 135 mph,” said Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe. “To finish the week with more race wins and podium finishes than any other tire manufacturer is a fantastic result and a testament to the performance and consistency of our latest generation Dunlop KR racing slicks. Michael Dunlop’s three wins were a highlight, but we’re equally proud to have supported so many riders running at the front throughout the event. Feedback from teams throughout the paddock was extremely positive, reinforcing the strength of a tire range that continues to win in road and circuit racing across Europe.”

As the exclusive tire supplier to the Superstock and Production Trophy classes, Dunlop supports 28 teams across both categories, while a further six top privateer teams have chosen Dunlop to compete against the factory-backed entries in the Formula EWC category. Among them is the No. 6 ERC Endurance Team, which had a strong start to the season after already showcasing the performance and reliability of Dunlop’s KR range in both wet and dry conditions last year.

Dunlop provides teams with a range of KR racing slick and wet tires, combining proven race-winning specifications with the latest developments from its ongoing tire development programme. Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps remains one of the most demanding circuits on the EWC calendar and the unique challenges it presents make it an important proving ground for Dunlop’s latest tire development, providing valuable data and feedback that helps shape future racing and track-focused products.

Dunlop’s latest generation medium specification front tire, with the development name G2_01 VAL3, will once again be available to all teams this weekend, which will be visually distinguishable with a yellow Dunlop sidewall decal.

“After a strong start to the season at Le Mans, we’re looking forward to returning to one of the most demanding and rewarding circuits on the EWC calendar,” said David Auerbacher, International Motorcycle Race Event Leader, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe. 

“Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps rewards teams that can combine performance, consistency and strategy over the full eight hours. With riders facing long high-speed sections, heavy braking zones and potentially changing weather conditions, tire performance remains a key factor throughout the race, so we're proud that two-thirds of the grid continue to place their trust in Dunlop.”

Please click on the link in the Downloads section to access the Dunlop press pack for this weekend’s 8 Hours of Spa Motos.

Dunlop ScootSmart 2 builds on the success of the original ScootSmart, which since its launch in 2012 has earned a reputation among scooterists for its dependable all-weather performance and lasting durability.² The new generation ScootSmart 2 has been developed specifically to meet the evolving demands of modern scooter riders, aimed at those who rely on their scooters for daily mobility, from city commuting to longer urban journeys.

ScootSmart 2 delivers measurable improvements in all performance areas including wet grip, braking and handling, while maintaining the durability and versatility that made the original product so popular.³

Enhanced performance for everyday riding

Dunlop ScootSmart 2 has been designed for riders who use their scooters all year round, whether commuting through city traffic or enjoying longer urban journeys. The tire’s design draws on Dunlop’s sport touring expertise, combining sophisticated motorcycle tire technologies with a design tailored specifically for scooters.

The tire features a new high silica compound to improve grip in a wide range of temperature and road conditions, enhancing traction on both wet and dry surfaces while maintaining strong mileage performance.

This is complemented by an all-new tread pattern. The front tire features a jagged centre groove to break through surface water and shorten braking distances, while the orientation of the main grooves improves water dispersion at intermediate speeds. Secondary grooves and shoulder tread elements further enhance grip when manoeuvring on slippery surfaces.

At the rear, a continuous tread centre supports wear resistance and traction on dry roads, while the groove layout is optimised to maintain grip in wet conditions. Together, these features contribute to consistent performance across varied conditions faced by year-round scooter riders.

In fact, Dunlop’s internal testing shows a 10% reduction in wet braking distance compared to its predecessor, highlighting a clear improvement in safety and control for everyday riding.⁴

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “With the introduction of ScootSmart 2, Dunlop builds on the proven success of ScootSmart to deliver a clear step forward in performance for today’s scooter riders. The tire offers stable and well-balanced handling, even for the most demanding riders with a more spirited riding style.

“Urban riding is full of contrasts. ScootSmart 2 is designed to handle all of them, and our broader launch campaign brings that idea to life in a way that feels dynamic, with playful assets that resonate with the needs of riders in cities, always ready to stop and go.”

Built for versatility across the scooter market

ScootSmart 2 has been developed with market-leading size coverage, suiting everything from lightweight city scooters, to retro models and high-end performance maxi scooters with larger frames. Its extensive size range will ultimately include 75 sizes, covering rim diameters from 10 to 16 inches and accounting for approximately 84% of the scooter market.⁵

Dmitri Talboom, Product Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, adds: “In developing ScootSmart 2, we set out to build on a product that already had a very strong reputation among scooter riders across Europe. We have combined expertise from our sport touring products with a design tailored to optimise urban riding, and have achieved marked improvements in wet grip, braking and handling. 

“The end result is a tire that gives supreme all-round performance, while also delivering the versatility that is essential for everyday use across sporty, classic, high-end performance and commuter scooters.”

Dunlop ScootSmart 2 will be available across Europe in Q2 2026, with the full size range available from Q4 2026.

_{(1) Compared to ScootSmart previous generation
(2) Based on internal testing and customers’ feedback
(3) Based on internal testing and compared to previous generation
(4) Based on internal comparative test result. Performed at Goodyear Proving Grounds Mireval. Sizes: 120/70R15 & 160/60R17 on Yamaha TMax 560
(5) Based on 2024 ETRMA Scooter tire segment industry statistics}

As the exclusive tire supplier to the Superstock class since 2022 and Production  Trophy class since 2025, Dunlop tires are raced by two-thirds of the grid. The top category, Formula EWC, is open tire competition, and Dunlop is the choice of seven top privateer teams fighting against factory teams for a spot on the podium, including the No. 6 ERC Endurance team which will look to repeat its podium success from last year.

Dunlop provides a range of slick and wet tires from its KR racing range, including a combination of off-the-shelf and development tires. EWC remains one of the most valuable aspects of the Dunlop tire development programme, and serves as a test bed for the next generation of racing and track day tires.

One of these is a new front tire that will feature this weekend. This medium specification, with the development name G2_01 VAL3, will be used by Formula EWC teams, and as one of two choices for Superstock and Production teams. It will be visually distinguishable with a yellow Dunlop sidewall decal.

“The start of a new season is always an exciting time, especially when we begin with the most prestigious endurance race on the calendar,” said David Auerbacher, International Motorcycle Race Event Leader, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe. “We’re ready for another season of endurance racing, where we’ll continue introducing new tire specs to keep pushing performance across three classes with very different philosophies and goals. 

“The Le Mans Bugatti circuit has low grip levels compared to other tracks, and coming here in April can often throw up unpredictable weather. Managing tire performance day and night in a range of conditions is key to winning.”

Please click on the link in the Downloads section to access the Dunlop press pack for this weekend’s 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans.

Dunlop’s premium sport touring tire impressed MOTORRAD’s testers in the comparison, where three road-focused tires in sizes 120/70 R19 front and 170/60 R17 rear were tested on a BMW R 1300 GS. RoadSmart IV secured first place overall in the road tire category, delivering class-leading wet performance and joint-best results in the dry sub-category.

The result marks the second time in five years that the tire has taken top honours in a MOTORRAD test. It also continues a strong run of success for Dunlop in independent testing this year, following SportSmart mk4’s comparable overall victory in MOTORRAD’s earlier sport tire test.

MOTORRAD’s testers particularly praised RoadSmart IV’s precise dry handling and feedback. Testers noted it “turns in more easily than its competitors,” and is “highly recommended” for motorcycles that typically have sluggish steering behaviour. Editors commented it “did not feel unstable” on the BMW R 1300 GS test bike, but rather it "excelled with high cornering speed, solid grip at maximum lean angle, and extremely precise feedback.”

RoadSmart IV also impressed in wet conditions, with testers commending its “extremely easy manoeuvring ability in fast cornering sequences,” with its precise rider feedback “clearly signalling the limits in a user-friendly manner.”

MOTORRAD summarised the tire as an “incredible all-rounder” with “excellent handling and top performance in all conditions,” concluding: “On the GS, riders can use it to annoy superbike riders.”

This strong performance across both dry and wet conditions also earned RoadSmart IV the magazine’s ‘Kauftipp’ (‘purchase recommendation’) awards.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe: “This result for RoadSmart IV reinforces our goal to deliver a perfect balance of outstanding dry performance and exceptional wet grip and precise handling, even after several thousand kilometres. We’re proud to see it recognised once again as a benchmark in the sport touring segment.”

¹ MOTORRAD issue 7/2026. Three road tires tested, sizes 120/70R19 (front) and 170/60R17 (rear). Test bike: BMW R 1300 GS. Comments translated from original German.

Dunlop Motorcycle Europe is marking the first anniversary of the introduction of its SportSmart mk4 hypersport tire with two major comparative test victories in leading European motorcycle publications, reinforcing its status as one of the leading road-focused hypersport tires on the market.

The success comes one year after its introduction through Dunlop’s innovative Curvemaster virtual launch event, which reimagined the traditional tire introduction format through a groundbreaking digital experience that gave more than 150 journalists and influencers control over their own testing environment.

SportSmart mk4 now continues its strong run of success, claiming victory in the 2026 sport tire test conducted by German motorcycle publications MOTORRAD and PS. The results mark the second consecutive year that SportSmart mk4 has taken top honours in both respected tests, underlining the tire’s consistent performance and cementing its reputation as a benchmark in the hypersport tire category.

The tire has also received major industry recognition over the past year, winning the Jury’s Special Award for Safety at the Automobile Awards in December, and Neumáticos & Mecánica Rápida’s Premios Neumático del Año (Tire of the Year Awards) for 2025.

Commanding performance across the board

In this year’s sport tire comparisons by MOTORRAD and PS, SportSmart mk4 delivered a balanced performance across all key categories, securing overall victory against leading competitors in the segment.

Both magazines tested tires in popular sizes on a BMW S 1000 XR, assessing road riding behaviour, wet performance, dry track handling and durability after extended mileage.

MOTORRAD's editors praised the tire’s agile handling, direct steering response and clear rider feedback in dry conditions, describing a “very direct” riding experience that “provides the rider with transparent, unfiltered information about the asphalt”. They added that “sporty, ambitious riders will love this tire, because every metre feels like riding on a race tire.”¹

In wet conditions, the editorial team highlighted its rapid warm-up and confidence-inspiring grip.

PS testers also highlighted the tire’s handling and balanced all-round performance. Editors noted it “steers more easily when turning in than its competitors and makes bulky motorcycles more agile.” In wet conditions, the tire impressed from cold, “quickly inspiring confidence in its grip”. 

Summarising the result, the editorial team wrote: “Leading the way is the test winner, the Dunlop SportSmart mk4, which shows that in such a closely contested test field you cannot afford any weaknesses. Excellent handling, very good wet and dry grip, and low wear deliver the highest points total.”²

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “SportSmart mk4 was designed to deliver confident, consistent hypersport performance on the road, and these results prove those capabilities. In its first year, the tire has won multiple comparative tests, and become a go-to choice for hypersport riders across Europe. To win these two tests again is a super way to mark the tire’s first anniversary.”

¹ MOTORRAD issue 6/2026. Five sport tires tested, sizes 120/70ZR17 (front) and 190/55ZR17 (rear). Test bike: BMW S 1000 XR. Comments translated from original German.

² PS issue 4/2026. Five sport tires tested, sizes 120/70ZR17 (front) and 190/55ZR17 (rear). Test bike: BMW S 1000 XR. Comments translated from original German.

As an official event partner, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe will provide its acclaimed 50/50 on/off-road tire Trailmax Raid to all participants in both events, which will run from Barcelona to Toulouse in June and Turin to Nice in September. 

Trailmax Raid was the official tire of last year’s edition, which took 37 riders on a 2,500-kilometre journey from Rome to Istanbul. This year’s edition sees Honda shift from an epic ultraendurance format to a series of shorter, skill-focused tours over three days. The bike of choice is the Honda XL750 Transalp, a machine that shares the versatility and accessibility that riders will experience with Dunlop Trailmax Raid. 

Dunlop’s 50/50 on/off-road tire was revealed three years ago and has since become a widely respected do-it-all adventure tire that combines confidence-inspiring off-road performance with excellent wet and dry traction on the road.  

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe: “We are excited to return as an official partner of Honda Adventure Roads for a second year and look forward to supporting riders throughout these two thrilling tours. Riders trust Dunlop Trailmax Raid to deliver the right balance of off-road capability with on-road rideability, and, with Honda’s shift towards shorter and more accessible tours to encourage riders to sharpen their skills, we know that Trailmax Raid will provide the confidence to let participants enjoy the spectacular tour.” 

Nick Bennett, Brand Marketing Section Manager, Honda Motor Europe: “We are delighted to welcome Dunlop back as the official tire partner for Honda Adventure Roads. Last year, the Trailmax Raid proved to be incredible; the feedback from our customers was overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the tire’s ability to handle diverse terrain without compromising on-road comfort. It is the perfect match for the XL750 Transalp, offering the grip and stability our riders need to push their boundaries and truly enhance their adventure experience. We’re confident that this continued partnership will provide our participants with the ultimate confidence on every twist and trail.” 

Honda Adventure Roads will run as two events this year - a Pyrenees crossing from Barcelona to Toulouse (11-14 June) and an Alps adventure from Turin to Nice (10-13 September). Follow updates from riders on the tour on the Dunlop and dedicated Honda Adventure Roads Instagram pages. 

Dunlop’s extension comes on the back of its most successful MXGP season to date, highlighted by Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre securing the 2025 world championship on Dunlop tires. Dunlop is also a proven force across the MX2 and women’s WMX classes, where the likes of Kay de Wolf and Lotte van Drunen have been crowned world champions in recent years.

Teams in MXGP have a free choice of tires, so Dunlop is constantly innovating its Geomax range of motocross tires to provide riders with a competitive edge across a variety of track surfaces. Dunlop’s successes in the top tier of global motocross have been the ideal proving ground for testing development tires in real conditions. As a result, products such as the Geomax MX14 sand tire and Geomax MX34 intermediate tire are the result of testing in the toughest motocross races in the world. 

Dunlop has claimed MXGP and MX2 world championship titles in the last two seasons and has been the tire of choice for 12 of the last 14 WMX champions. In North America, Dunlop tires have gripped every champion in the top series since 2010.

Romain Febvre will again spearhead Dunlop’s challenge this season, joined by a standout roster of riders and teams who continue to choose and trust Dunlop, including his teammate Pauls Jonass, Van Venrooy KTM’s Mattia Guadagnini and Nestaan Husqvarna’s Kay de Wolf, the 2024 MX2 champion stepping up to the premier class.

Further strengthening Dunlop’s presence in MXGP, Team Honda Motoblouz SR Motul will compete on Dunlop with Thibault Benistant and Kevin Horgmo. In MX2, Dunlop remains the preferred choice for Triumph’s Camden McLellan and Guillem Farres, alongside Husqvarna’s Liam Everts and Kawasaki’s Mathis Valin, among others.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said: “We are excited to continue our partnership with Infront and MXGP as we support top teams with our tires in this most competitive of championships. By working with some of the very best riders in the sport, we are able to develop the next generation of tires for motocross racers across the world, at all levels.”

David Luongo, CEO of Infront Moto Racing: “Dunlop Motorcycle Europe has been a valued and longstanding partner of MXGP, and we are delighted to continue building this strong relationship together. Motocross is one of the most demanding and spectacular sports in the world, and having a partner like Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, which thrives in such a challenging environment, definitely adds real strength to the championship. Their commitment over many years reflects a shared passion for performance, innovation and the growth of the sport, and we are proud to have them alongside us as an Official Tire Partner of MXGP.”

Cobra Chrome is positioned as Avon’s flagship product for cruiser and custom motorcycles, and plays a central role in its renewed product strategy. The range is now offered in 77 SKUs, including 14 sizes featuring the characteristic white sidewall design that has long been associated with Avon’s heritage in the custom and classic motorcycle sectors.

The redevelopment of the Cobra Chrome range follows a wide-ranging industrial upgrade programme across Avon’s entire motorcycle business. As part of this, the manufacturing of Avon’s premium motorcycle tires has gradually transitioned to Goodyear’s state-of-the-art motorcycle centre of excellence in Montluçon, France; a site already renowned in the motorcycle industry for producing Dunlop’s premium road tires and championship winning racing products.

To enable Cobra Chrome production at Montluçon, manufacturing processes had to be tailored to the new facility. Many of the Cobra Chrome sizes were new to the French site, requiring extensive re-engineering to meet Goodyear’s global standards for quality performance and consistency. This work has resulted in improved tire uniformity, higher yields, better operator ergonomics and production quality that is fully aligned with Goodyear manufacturing processes.

Dmitri Talboom, Motorcycle Product Manager, Goodyear, explains: “To bring Avon production in line with Goodyear’s standards for quality and performance, the Cobra Chrome range has been extensively re-engineered. Montluçon’s role in this revival has been crucial.”

The return of Cobra Chrome’s whitewall SKUs presented unique technical considerations for the Montluçon factory. The white rubber compound has been reformulated to improve resistance to discoloration, while the sidewall assembly process has evolved from a largely manual operation to one that is more automated. Computer-assisted quality checks have also been introduced to better ensure a premium finish.

Talboom added: “Whitewall tires are a defining element of Avon’s heritage and remain a distinctive choice for riders of custom and cruiser-style motorcycles. We are proud to see this iconic design resume in full production."

Avon Cobra Chrome now sits within a more streamlined Avon motorcycle range that also includes the 3D Supersport hypersport tire, Spirit ST and Roadrider MKII tires for sport-touring applications, Trailrider and Trekrider products for adventure use, and the classic Safety Mileage MKII and Speedmaster MKII products.

This focused portfolio ensures Avon continues to offer its most established and popular products, positioned as a complementary partner to the Dunlop range, which spans applications from off-road to hypersport.

Avon Cobra Chrome is available in 2026 in 77 front and rear sizes covering 15-23-inch fitments, including 14 sizes with a white sidewall design. The majority of sizes are on sale now, with the remainder being released during 2026.

Paris–Nordkapp is the brainchild of six-time Dakar Rally rider and RallyPOV founder Tiziano Internò, and veteran moto route designer Manuel Podetti. It invites 250 riders to tackle more than 6,000 kilometres of mixed terrain - dirt, gravel, and tarmac - across ten countries in just twelve days. The journey culminates at North Cape, the most northerly point in Europe accessible by road.

The inaugural edition of the adventure will begin at midnight on 28 June 2026 from Paris. From that moment, riders will rely entirely on their own preparation, navigation and mechanical skill as they head towards the first of four Malle Moto-style gates, each of which are positioned roughly every 1,500 kilometres along the route. Each gate offers a fully equipped workshop space with tools, maintenance facilities and the opportunity to change tires.

As the event’s exclusive tire partner, Dunlop will supply riders with a range of its trusted adventure products suited to the demands of three different rider categories. Tires can be equipped ahead of departure or supplied for fitment on bikes, wheels or for self-fitment at the gates as part of riders’ own maintenance schedules.

Dunlop’s rally-focused D908RR will be available for riders seeking durability and performance in the event’s off-road focused Rally Roadbook and Rally GPX classes. Those participating in the Explorer GPX class, which follows an asphalt-only route, will have access to Dunlop’s flagship 50/50 adventure product, Trailmax Raid, designed to deliver confident road riding alongside impressive off-road capability. Dunlop Mutant will also be available for motorcycles equipped with 17-inch front and rear wheels.

As part of the collaboration, all riders will also display Dunlop branding on their number plates and the archway marking the adventure’s start.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen as an official partner for Paris–Nordkapp 2026. This event captures the pure spirit of long distance adventure riding and offers the perfect stage for us to demonstrate the capability of our adventure moto products. The combination of mixed terrain, distance and complete self reliance is a true test for both rider and equipment. The Dunlop adventure range allows participants to choose the ideal fitment for their bike and riding style, whether they are taking on the most demanding off-road class or riding the route completely on asphalt. Paris–Nordkapp will be a true test of rider and machine, but we’re more than up to the challenge!”

Event founder Tiziano Internò added: “Our mission is to channel the spirit of Thierry Sabine into a raw, unsupported adventure across Europe. This isn’t a rally, and it’s not a race. It’s a first-of-its-kind adventure where riders must carry everything they need. Our riders will cover thousands of kilometres, a hugely physical and technical challenge, which makes Dunlop’s support invaluable to the success of the event.”

Paris–Nordkapp begins from Paris, France at midnight on 28 June 2026 and will conclude in Nordkapp, Norway on 11 July 2026. Follow updates from riders on the tour on the Dunlop and dedicated Paris–Nordkapp social media pages.

The 2025 racing season has been a landmark year for Dunlop, with the brand achieving unprecedented success with its supported teams and riders across motocross, endurance, circuit racing and local motorsport series. 

Throughout the season, Dunlop riders and teams consistently demonstrated the performance and reliability of the brand’s bespoke racing and off-the-shelf tire products across almost every discipline of motorcycle racing.

Dunlop’s racing season has been undoubtedly headlined by its landmark FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP) title with Romain Febvre, marking the long-awaited return of the Dunlop brand to the top championship in global motocross.

Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP rider Febvre enjoyed his strongest season to date, winning the Grands Prix of Sardegna, Spain, France, Great Britain, and Sweden in the process of claiming his second championship title. Throughout the season, Febvre trusted Dunlop’s Geomax range of motocross tires to give him the traction and control he needed across a wide variety of tracks and surfaces, describing the Geomax MX14 as his “favourite”.

In MX2, Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay de Wolf came within just nine points of defending his title, while Lotte van Drunen (De Baets Yamaha MX Team) went back to back to defend Dunlop’s WMX title, making Dunlop the tire of choice for 12 of the last 14 WMX champions. In North America, Dunlop extended its 15-year dominance in the AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross series, where top riders - including respective 450cc champions Cooper Webb and Jett Lawrence - again chose Dunlop tires for their proven performance and reliability.

Dunlop also renewed its partnership with the International Six Days of Enduro, reinforcing its support for both professional and club-level riders through the Dunlop Geomax Challenge.

The season closed with the Motocross of Nations, where Dunlop tires were the choice of riders competing for the top three placed teams at Ironman Raceway, Crawfordsville, Indiana. The dominant all-Dunlop Team Australia led Team USA and Team France to take a second consecutive MXoN victory, while Dunlop riders occupied eight of nine available podium places, further proving the Geomax range’s performance credentials.

Endurance and other international racing success

This season Dunlop entered its fourth consecutive year as the exclusive tire supplier to the Superstock Trophy in the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) and expanded its involvement by becoming the official tire partner for the all-new FIM Endurance World Trophy class.

In the Formula EWC category, one of the few international motorcycle racing classes to still feature open tire competition, Dunlop continued to be the choice of leading teams, including the Le Mans podium-sitting No. 6 ERC Endurance Team, the KM99/Marc VDS Racing Team, and the returning ERC BMW Endurance Team and Team LRP Poland outfits. All in all, Dunlop supported 27 Formula EWC, 99 Superstock Trophy, and 17 Production Trophy entries across all three categories this season.

Beyond the world stage, Dunlop remained deeply committed to local and regional motorsport, too. The brand continued its involvement in the Italian and Spanish superbike championships; two of Europe’s most competitive series. As title sponsor and tire partner of the Campionato Italiano Velocità, Dunlop provides a range of tires from its KR racing slick range to each class. Alessandro Delbianco and Davide Stirpe were crowned champions of the Superbike and Production Bike classes, with Luca Ottaviani and Bruno Ieraci leading the way in Supersport 600 NG and Sportbike, respectively.

The Campeonato de España de Superbike, meanwhile, features open tire competition in many of its classes, allowing Dunlop to prove its performance against competitor brands. As well as being the tire of choice for top Superbike riders such as Ivo Lopes (easyRace Team BMW), Dunlop carried rookie Javier Palomera (Team Laglisse Honda) to the Superstock 1000 championship; the 17 year old’s journey to the title included an overall race victory at the season-closing round at Jerez, beating the entire Superbike field in the process.

“This season has been one of extraordinary success for us,” commented Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe. “The breadth of results across so many disciplines shows the trust that teams and riders place in our tires. We are proud that Dunlop has supported so many top teams and riders throughout the season; all of their feedback has been instrumental in developing the latest range of Dunlop tires.

“Whether it’s motocross, endurance, circuit racing or local motorsport series, top riders choose Dunlop, and each victory reinforces the value of our ongoing development work. These results are the perfect way to close an exceptional racing season for Dunlop. We look forward to building on this success in 2026.”

According to Stark Future, the VARG SM represents a major step forward in electric moto performance, combining the Spanish brand’s attested off-road expertise with new, race-inspired road technology. Designed to deliver the agility of a competition supermoto with the convenience of a road-legal machine, the bike weighs just 124.5 kg and produces up to 80 hp with 914 Nm of torque at the rear wheel, resulting in instant acceleration.

Dunlop SportSmart TT is particularly suited to the VARG SM’s performance. Developed to meet the demands of both trackday and road riders, SportSmart TT delivers the precision, stability, and feedback required to complement the VARG SM’s responsive electric power, providing an ideal foundation for lightweight, supermoto-style handling.

SportSmart TT was developed and manufactured in Dunlop’s motorcycle centre of excellence in Montlucon, France, where many of its racing tires are also produced. Dunlop’s extensive experience in top level superbike and supersport racing is the inspiration for much of the technology used in its premium hypersport range, and SportSmart TT is just one of Dunlop’s products to benefit from race-proven innovations.

SportSmart TT’s NTEC RT technology allows for its rear pressure to be lowered for track use, giving more grip by enlarging the tire’s contact patch. Its Speed Vent Tread, meanwhile, is a tread groove pattern that opens and closes when the tire turns, improving heat dissipation. On the front tire, a revised dynamic mould profile gives the rare balance between lower steering effort and optimum turn-in grip, delivering enhanced feedback and confidence when braking and turning.

Miguel Morais, Original Equipment Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe: “The Stark VARG SM is a striking example of how race-inspired road performance and electric technology can come together, and the SportSmart TT is engineered to complement that. The combination of Stark Future’s advanced electric powertrain and Dunlop’s race-derived SportSmart TT ensures riders can fully exploit the bike’s agility, precision and power both on the road and on track. We’re proud that Stark Future has chosen Dunlop SportSmart TT as an original equipment fitment for this exciting new model.”

The collaboration with Stark Future builds on the brands’ growing partnership, which began earlier this year when Dunlop Geomax MX34 was chosen to equip the Stark VARG MX. It also strengthens Dunlop’s extensive portfolio of global OE fitments across leading motocross brands, including with Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha, KTM, GasGas and Husqvarna.

Anton Wass, Founder & CEO, Stark Future: “The Dunlop SportSmart TT is one of the most sought-after supermoto tires on the market, and for us it was a natural choice. We as a brand are committed to giving riders what they want, the best possible performance and feel straight from the factory. Offering the SportSmart TT as a main option on the VARG SM was simply a given.”

Dunlop SportSmart TT is fitted to the Stark VARG SM in 120/70R17 and 140/70R17 front and rear sizes, respectively.

The brand last exhibited at the Milan show in 2023, when it was introduced to the motorcycle industry as part of the Goodyear family of brands. Now, Avon returns to EICMA with a new brand identity launched earlier this year and a comprehensive product range that caters to sport, touring, adventure, cruiser and classic riders around the world.

As part of its new brand identity, under the mission ‘made to be different’, Avon Tyres defined four key products that allow riders to experience the brand’s independent, maverick spirit: Cobra Chrome for cruiser, touring and custom riders; Spirit ST for sport touring bikes; 3D Supersport for the hypersport market; and Roadrider MKII which combines a classic look with the latest technology. 

All four of these tires will be central to the Avon Tyres stand at EICMA, along with Trekrider, Speedmaster MKII, Safety Mileage and Streetrunner, giving visitors their most comprehensive overview of the Avon range yet.

EICMA provides a truly global stage for Avon Tyres to showcase its brand identity and product range. Last year, the show welcomed more than 600,000 attendees, including almost 40,000 professionals from 126 different countries.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager Motorcycle Europe, Goodyear: “EICMA brings the motorcycle world together like no other event, so it is the perfect opportunity for Avon Tyres to connect with riders and industry professionals from across the globe. We look forward to sharing how the brand continues to grow and evolve in its new era, underlined by our bold new brand identity, ‘made to be different’.”

Adding to the excitement on the public days of the event, fans will have the opportunity to meet legendary stunt rider Rok Bagoros. With more than 3 million followers on social media, the Avon Tyres ambassador will be sure to attract a crowd for his signing session on the Avon Tyres stand at 11:00 on Sunday 9 November.

Visit Avon Tyres at EICMA at Fiera Milano in Milan, Italy: Hall 9, Booth U65, between Tuesday 4 and Sunday 9 November.

The Dunlop Test Team is one of the most interesting development programmes in motorcycle racing. Managed by Steven Casaer (EMC37) with engineers from Dunlop’s technical centre in Montluçon, France, the programme harnesses the expertise of top riders to test the next generation of racing and track day tires in the toughest and most realistic conditions - real races.  

“Testing in this environment is different to just testing on a normal track,” Hickman explains. “It means that when we are passing people, we're going off the racing line, trying different parts of the track that we wouldn't do if we're testing on our own. We get to use the tire in a different way and in the type of realistic conditions it’s actually going to get used in.” 

Getting data from real-world conditions, where traffic and overtakes make replicating the perfect lap time difficult, gives Dunlop’s engineers more usable data than a typical test session. And when the subjective feedback comes from riders of the calibre of Hickman (the Isle of Man TT lap record holder) and Guarnoni (an FIM Endurance World Champion), the engineers benefit from some of motorcycle racing’s most experienced and knowledgeable riders.  

Dunlop brought more than 200 tires to Spa, from development specifications of its KR slick racing tire range, treaded dry weather racing tires to intermediate and wet specifications. Each stint during the race, the riders were fitted with a different rear tire but had no knowledge of what to expect from it. This approach allows Hickman and Guarnoni to give unbiased feedback, comparing it only to the reference tire. 

“They don't tell us anything about it so it's a completely blind test,” explains Hickman. “Often, the lap time on the bike is actually blanked off so we can't see it - from our perspective it's all about feel rather than lap time. Every time I ride out of the pits, I know I need to get used to the tire and put in a fast lap time as quickly as I can, obviously without making a mistake! We've just got to go out and ride as hard as we can and give our feedback at the end of it.” 

Over the course of the three-day event, Hickman and Guarnoni completed 2,000 km, including 101 laps during the race. Their BMW M1000RR is fitted with 75 sensors measuring more than 300 data points, generating a huge amount of data. 

“While we rely on the riders for expert subjective feedback, we measure all the objective data from the garage,” explains Giovanni Dalla Torre, one of Dunlop’s lead Tire Development Engineers for motorcycle racing. “This split allows us to separate the facts from the feedback, both of which are vital to the development process. Having top riders like Peter and Jeremy in the programme means they give us clear, experienced feedback that carries weight when we later introduce the new specifications to our customers and supported teams.” 

A number of new tires were tested at Spa, including new soft and supersoft slicks to be added into the Dunlop KR range, a new treaded racing tire, a new front slick and a new wet tire. When developing a new product, the combination of laboratory testing, closed private testing and realistic race testing gives Dunlop’s development team an unparalleled level of detail and quality feedback.  

In fact, the recent 6-hour race at Spa was the latest in a varied schedule of outings for the Dunlop Test Team, which often enters national superbike championships across Europe, too. In April, the team participated in the pre-event test for the EWC’s 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans, clocking the second fastest lap time on the opening day. 

The results of the Dunlop Test Team’s efforts are seen in some of Europe’s most competitive championships, such as the Spanish ESBK series, where top Superbike and Supersport teams such as BMW Easyrace Team and Team Honda Laglisse choose the latest generation of Dunlop tires to give them the competitive edge over rival teams using other tires. In the Italian CIV series, where Dunlop is the exclusive tire supplier, the Test Team’s constant development allows Dunlop to regularly bring new tires that meet the demands of this highly competitive championship. 

“Testing in competitive conditions is the obvious next step after completing the virtual and private testing stages of the development programme,” Dalla Torre adds. “When Dunlop-supported teams are racing in championships as competitive as ESBK, they’re constantly managing traffic and going off line to overtake, all in changing track conditions. At events like the Spa 6 Hours or the Le Mans test day, the data the Dunlop Test Team gathers helps us to fine-tune the next generation of racing tires that will benefit all our customer and partner teams, from world championships to national competitions.” 

Dagna, 20, enjoyed a stellar season in the youth category of the Enduro World Championship, winning 6 of 14 race days throughout the year and finishing in the top three on all but one day. A pair of podium finishes at the German Grand Prix last weekend secured the Frenchman’s first world title. 

"I'm delighted with this world title in the Youth category,” said Dagna. “It's been an extraordinary season with great work from the team. We've made steady progress in both our racing and technical approach, leading us to world success. I thank Dunlop for supporting us and contributing to our victory with the Geomax tires.”

Fellow KTM Pro Racing rider Max Ahlin has also enjoyed further success on Dunlop this year. He placed third in the Enduro E2 World Championship standings, securing two second-place finishes in Germany to round out the season with five podium results. The Swede won the Junior Enduro title last year and, together with Dagna, shows the Dunlop-supported team’s commitment to developing young riders.

“We started our collaboration with Dunlop two years ago, and we’re really happy with the partnership,” explained Alex Belometti, KTM Pro Racing team manager. “Winning titles with Max Ahlin last year and Romain Dagna this year is a remarkable achievement. We truly appreciate the high-level Geomax tires and technology that Dunlop brings to the table, contributing a key part of our success.”

The team relies on tires from Dunlop’s Geomax enduro range, chosen for their wide performance window that matches the varied conditions faced in the Enduro World Championship. 

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe adds: “We are proud to see Romain and the KTM Pro Racing team continue to achieve such impressive results on Dunlop. Our Geomax range of enduro tires are designed to give riders of all levels the edge in this highly competitive and demanding type of racing, so it is particularly rewarding to see future stars win their first world championships with us.”

Dunlop tires were the choice of riders competing for the top three teams at the 2025 Motocross of Nations (MXoN), with the dominant all-Dunlop Team Australia leading Team USA and Team France at Ironman Raceway, Crawfordsville, Indiana, to take its second consecutive MXoN victory.

The prestigious event saw 32 of the world’s best motocross riders from 18 different nations choose Dunlop Geomax tires, representing around one-third of the entire grid. Throughout the weekend, all Dunlop-equipped riders relied on Geomax MX14 tires on the rear and Geomax MX34 tires on the front. This victory marks the fourth consecutive year that Dunlop-equipped riders have won the Motocross of Nations.

Team Australia, featuring brothers Jett and Hunter Lawrence alongside Kyle Webster, delivered a commanding performance all weekend to finish 14 points clear of Team USA in second. The trio’s consistency and teamwork secured the best overall result, with the Australians proving the team to beat from Saturday. The Lawrence brothers each dominated from Holeshot to Chequered Flag in their qualifying heats, and ultimately went on to take impressive victories in all three of Sunday’s races.

Second-placed Team USA, featuring Eli Tomac, Justin Cooper and RJ Hampshire - all successful in this year’s AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross series - were Australia’s closest challengers at their home MXoN. Despite all three of Team USA’s riders consistently running in the top ten during each of Sunday’s races - and Tomac finishing just five seconds behind victorious Hunter Lawrence in Race 3 - the Australians’ dominance left little doubt about the outcome by the end of the weekend.

Team France claimed third place, level on 33 points with Team USA, with its lineup of FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP) title-winner Romain Febvre and Mathis Valin, both Dunlop riders, and teammate Maxime Renaux. This success means Dunlop-equipped riders secured eight of the nine available spots on the overall MXoN podium.

Dunlop riders from other nations also delivered strong performances throughout the day, too. Team Japan’s Jo Shimoda secured second place in Race 2, ahead of Slovenian privateer Jan Pancar. Liam Everts, contesting his first races on a 450 cc machine this weekend, helped Team Belgium achieve a solid fourth-place finish in the standings. The Husqvarna star rider brought home a 4-7 result in the Open class to guide his team to a 14-point advantage in fourth place.

In the individual category standings, Jett Lawrence, Kay de Wolf (Team Netherlands) and Hunter Lawrence each claimed the top position in the MXGP, MX2 and Open classifications respectively, further underlining the performance and reliability of the Dunlop Geomax range.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe: “Congratulations to Team Australia for a memorable second consecutive victory at the Motocross of Nations. We saw very competitive racing from the Australian, American and French teams, amongst others, so their win is well deserved. We’re pleased that so many top riders chose Dunlop Geomax tires, and today’s results underline the Geomax range’s performance credentials.”

In the FIM Motocross World Championship, including MXoN, as well as the North American Supercross and Pro Motocross series, teams and riders that choose Dunlop have access to a range of Dunlop Geomax motocross tires. This range includes the sand-focused Geomax MX14, designed to provide traction on loose surfaces, and the latest addition to Dunlop’s Geomax lineup, the Geomax MX34 for soft to intermediate surfaces. At Ironman Raceway this weekend, all Dunlop riders were equipped with Geomax MX14 rear tires and Geomax MX34 front tires.

MXoN success crowns a landmark MX season for Dunlop

Dunlop’s 2025 motocross season has been one of unprecedented success, marked by dominant performances in both Europe and North America. In MXGP, Dunlop rider Romain Febvre secured his second FIM Motocross World Championship title two weeks ago in Australia, marking Dunlop’s long-awaited return to the top championship title in global motocross.

In the United States, Dunlop carried Cooper Webb to his third 450cc AMA Supercross title this year, extending Dunlop's impressive streak of winning all AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross titles since 2010.

In MX2, Kay de Wolf came within nine points of defending his world title at the season’s end, capping a stellar season that included Grand Prix wins in Argentina, Sardinia, Spain, Finland, Flanders, the Netherlands, and Australia. In the WMX category, Dunlop rising star Lotte van Drunen successfully defended her title, securing her second consecutive world championship and making Dunlop the tire of choice for 12 of the last 14 WMX champions.

Van Achter added: “Today’s results are the perfect way to close an exceptional season for Dunlop in motocross. Our riders and teams have shown the strength of the Geomax range at every level of competition. We are proud to celebrate another Motocross of Nations victory and look forward to building on this success in 2026.”

The #55 National Motos Honda, featuring Valentin Suchet, Guillaume Raymond and Johan Nigon secured back-to-back Dunlop Superstock Trophy titles, with a third-place finish in class and fifth overall finish at the Bol d’Or. The French team was in the fight from the start and ran inside the top ten throughout, underlining the durability of the Dunlop KR slicks across the full 24 hours. Their consistency proved decisive, because with 81 points already on the board heading to Circuit Paul Ricard, their third-place finish in class was enough to seal the championship. 

The Bol d’Or saw the #9 Champion-MRP-Tecmas BMW deliver a standout performance, not only taking victory in the Superstock Trophy, but also securing an overall podium finish in third place - a remarkable achievement for a Superstock team among the Formula EWC entries, given that their 1000cc machines remain far closer to roadgoing counterparts with only limited modifications permitted. Making the most of Dunlop’s defined range of KR tires, the team delivered consistently strong performances to secure third place in the Superstock Trophy championship standings. The #41 Kaedear-Dafy-Rac41 Honda followed closely, taking second place both in the race and in the team standings.

With every team competing with a range of tires from Dunlop’s KR racing slick range, the Superstock Trophy again showcased some of the closest competition of the weekend. At one stage, six Superstock teams occupied overall top-ten positions, ahead of many factory teams in the top class, highlighting both the competitiveness of the class and the consistent performance of the Dunlop KR slicks.

The Production Trophy, introduced at the beginning of 2025, also crowned its first-ever champion at the Bol d’Or. The #199 ARTEC Kawasaki secured the inaugural title with a fourth-place finish in class, building on its points advantage from earlier rounds. The pole-sitting #87 Moto Revue Moto Journal Honda impressed on debut before retiring, leaving space for the #96 Team Moto Ain Yamaha to take the race win at Circuit Paul Ricard, while the #42 Green Team Lycee Sainte Claire Kawasaki and the #26 Audemar Motoclub Gemenos Yamaha completed the Production Trophy podium. All Production Trophy teams also have the same range of Dunlop KR racing slicks.

Strong showing in open-tire Formula EWC class

In the Formula EWC class, which features open tire choice, several teams displayed strong form before issues forced them out of contention. The #53 Mana-Au Competition Honda emerged as the top Dunlop-equipped finisher, climbing from P32 on the grid to ninth overall, followed by the #14 Maco Racing Team Yamaha, which secured a solid P13 finish.

Other Dunlop teams showed competitive pace and performance before misfortune struck. The #99 Elf Marc VDS Racing Team/KM99 Yamaha ran consistently inside the top ten and as high as sixth before retiring with a technical issue. The privateer #6 ERC Endurance BMW also impressed, climbing into the top five early on, showcasing the grip and stability of the KR slicks before a night-time crash ended its race. The #90 Team LRP Poland BMW was another strong contender forced to retire early, while the #65 Motobox Kremer Racing Yamaha charged from P16 to P8 overall before retiring just three hours from the finish.

Despite the misfortune, Dunlop’s KR108 and KR109 tires underlined their qualities in varied conditions. Their quick warm-up and proven durability allowed Dunlop-equipped teams to push immediately and consistently after pitstops, while their wide operating window provided confidence across daytime heat and cooler night temperatures. Multiple Dunlop teams climbed steadily through the order over the course of the race, demonstrating the consistency and competitiveness of the tires across the full 24 hours.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “We’re proud to have supported teams across all categories throughout the year, including 41 entries at this year’s edition of the Bol d’Or. Congratulations to the champions and to all competitors for delivering such an exciting season finale with close battles in every class. We’re delighted to finish the season with a Dunlop Superstock team celebrating an overall podium finish.

“The Bol d’Or is one of the toughest races in world endurance and this 88th edition once again proved the performance of our Dunlop KR range. Its wide operating window, rapid warm-up and durability gave riders the confidence to push in every condition. To see Dunlop-equipped teams competing strongly in Formula EWC, Superstock Trophy and the Production Trophy really underlines the capability of the KR range across every level of endurance racing.”

Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP rider Febvre has enjoyed his strongest season to date, winning the Grands Prix of Sardegna, Spain, France, Great Britain, and Sweden, picking up 12 heat and qualifying race wins in the process. His fourth place finish in the first heat in Darwin on Sunday was enough to secure the title, before the second heat was called off due to weather conditions.

It has been a quarter of a century since Dunlop tires last took an MXGP top class rider to the world championship, when Frédéric Bolley claimed his second title in 2000, coming shortly after a period of domination when Dunlop was the tire of five consecutive champions in 1994-1998.

Febvre: Dunlop Geomax MX14 key to success

Throughout the season, Febvre has trusted Dunlop’s Geomax range of motocross tires to give him the traction and control he needs across a wide variety of tracks and surfaces, but he’s chosen one tire from the range almost every weekend. 

“My favourite Dunlop tire is the sand tire, the Geomax MX14,” he told Dunlop earlier in the season. “Since the start of the season, we’ve used it in almost every race. That’s been really good: especially for the starts. Now we launch from metal mesh, which makes getting consistent traction tricky. With the Geomax MX14, we can avoid sliding.”

Dunlop developed Geomax MX14 with feedback from top riders like Febvre as the next generation of motocross tire for sand tracks and loose terrain. Its tall tread blocks and deep scoop profile provide excellent traction under acceleration, braking and cornering. It sits in the range alongside Geomax MX34 and MX53 for medium and hardpack tracks. 

Lotte van Drunen goes back to back to defend Dunlop’s WMX title

Dunlop tires have dominated the FIM Women's Motocross World Championship (WMX) in recent times, and Lotte van Drunen kept up this success by taking her second consecutive title in Darwin on Sunday.

The De Baets Yamaha MX Team rider won four heats and the season-opening Sardegna round, setting up a close championship battle with fellow Dunlop rider Kiara Fontanesi. Despite a win and second place result across the two heats for Fontanesi, van Drunen managed to keep close and win the title by seven points.

In recent years, Dunlop tires have been the choice of 12 of the last 14 WMX champions. Van Drunen’s second crown follows six for Fontanesi and four for Courtney Duncan.

In MX2, Dunlop rider Kay de Wolf came tantalisingly close to defending his title on Sunday, including with a victory in the first heat, which became an overall Grand Prix win after rain red-flagged the second race, but his rival managed to take enough points to keep the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing rider in second. Nevertheless, his strong performance throughout the season included Grand Prix wins in Argentina, Sardgena, Spain, Finland, Flanders, The Netherlands and Australia. 

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe: “Romain’s world championship is a fantastic achievement and we are proud that Dunlop has supported him throughout this journey. His feedback has always been instrumental in developing the latest range of Dunlop Geomax motocross tires, and his comments speak volumes about the role that tires play in giving top riders like him the traction and control they need to get the most out of their bikes in the highest level of motocross. Whether it’s MXGP, MX2 or WMX, top riders choose Dunlop.”

The 88th edition of the Bol d’Or brings to a close Dunlop’s fourth year as exclusive tire supplier to the Superstock Trophy and its first season supporting every entry in the new Production Trophy class. Meanwhile, six Formula EWC teams will finish their 2025 FIM EWC season on Dunlop tires.

All Dunlop-equipped teams will have access to a wide selection of Dunlop’s KR108 and KR109 slicks, designed to deliver on both single-lap pace and long-distance performance.  In the event of changing weather conditions, a full range of intermediate and wet weather compounds will also be available to ensure reliable grip throughout the race.

Superstock Trophy and Production Trophy titles go down to the wire

The highly competitive Dunlop Superstock Trophy promises to have a thrilling finale at the Bol d'Or with 28 bikes representing seven manufacturers lining up on the grid. With two new entrants joining the grid for the final round, they raise the intensity of what is already the championship’s most competitive class.

At the top of the standings, the #25 Team Étoile BMW leads with 86 points, just five ahead of the #55 National Motos Honda, reigning Superstock Trophy champions, at 81 points. The #41 Kaedear-Dafy-RAC-41 Honda has collected 68 points throughout the season, remaining firmly in contention. With only 55 points separating the top ten and with a maximum of 65 points still available at Circuit Paul Ricard, the final results of the Superstock Trophy are far from decided.

The very first Production Trophy champion will also be crowned at the Bol d’Or. Introduced at the start of 2025, the category is designed to provide a more accessible and affordable entry point into FIM EWC. Every team competes on Dunlop’s slick tires, underlining Dunlop’s commitment to supporting and showcasing endurance racing talent at all levels. This is further reinforced by Dunlop providing teams in this category with FOC tires, helping to make endurance racing more accessible.

Eight teams will battle for the very first Production Trophy title with four additional teams joining them for the final round. The #222 Team Supermoto Racing Yamaha leads with 97 points, while the #199 Artec Kawasaki sits second with 79. Just 14 points separate third to sixth place, ensuring an intense fight for the final podium position.

Dunlop-equipped Formula EWC teams target strong season finale

In the Formula EWC category, which features open tire choice, six Dunlop-equipped teams will fight for a strong finish to the season, aiming to clinch the maximum amount of points. The #6 ERC Endurance BMW sits fifth in the standings, while the #99 Elf Marc VDS Racing Team/KM99 Yamaha is currently holding onto P8. Both of these privateer teams aim to secure their places in the top ten amongst several factory outfits, relying on the grip and durability provided by the Dunlop racing slicks. The #65 Motobox Kremer Racing Yamaha and the #53 Mana-au Competition Honda, currently P12 and P13, alongside the #14 Maco Racing Team Yamaha and the #90 Team LRP Poland BMW will be pushing to end their seasons on a high.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “We’re excited to return to Paul Ricard for the 2025 FIM EWC season finale with strong competition across the Superstock-based FIM Endurance World Cup, the all-new Production Trophy category and Formula EWC class. As this is the last round of the season, every team will push to the maximum on the KR slicks, showcasing the performance, durability and confidence our tires provide.

“As well as this being the final round of the inaugural Production Trophy season, we also celebrate four years as the exclusive tire supplier to EWC’s Superstock category, while top privateer teams continue to choose Dunlop fighting for overall podiums in Formula EWC. We’re ready for an exciting season finale and proud to support the Dunlop teams in their pursuits for victory.”

Track activity at Circuit Paul Ricard gets underway on Thursday 18 September, with two-hour free practice sessions, followed by two qualifying sessions on Thursday evening and Friday morning. The 2025 edition of the Bol d’Or will start on Saturday 20 September at 15:00 CET.

Dunlop Geomax EN92 succeeds the highly regarded Geomax EN91 and will be available in two front and three rear fitments to suit a variety of enduro rider skill levels and conditions. Geomax EN92 is designed to deliver excellent grip, compliance and traction on dry, grassy, flat and dirt surfaces, with the Geomax EN92 SOFT further extending off-road capability by offering increased performance on wet, root-laden, uneven and rocky terrain.

Dunlop’s extensive experience in top-level off-road competition is the inspiration for much of the development in its enduro range, and Geomax EN92 is the latest product line to benefit from these competition-proven innovations. 

Its predecessor has carried riders to success at the 6DAYS® FIM Enduro of Nations and equipped multiple Enduro European and Junior Enduro World Champions in recent years. Geomax EN92 will continue this trend offering riders increased grip, compliance and excellent traction in the most demanding competitions and across varied terrains, including at this week's 6DAYS FIM Enduro of Nations in Italy.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, explains: “With the introduction of Geomax EN92, Dunlop continues to build on the proven success of Geomax EN91 to offer riders even greater performance and versatility on off-road terrain. This product is designed specifically for highly skilled enduro riders and weekend enthusiasts, offering unmatched grip and traction on challenging terrains so they can get ultimate performance in the toughest competitions.”

Innovative tread design and performance-driven construction

The all-new Dunlop Geomax EN92 has been developed with a focus on delivering increased performance across a broader range of conditions, building on the proven capabilities of its predecessor. Both the medium Geomax EN92 and the softer EN92 SOFT specifications feature a more rounded sidewall profile, enhancing compliance and rider comfort over rough terrain and uneven ground.

At the front, an optimised block layout continues the staggered distribution as seen in the Geomax EN91, while a reduced land ratio in the centre and middle zones improves grip on hard or rocky surfaces. Progressive Cornering Block Technology (PCBT) further helps to increase penetration into dirt and improves grip when cornering, with additional cavities in the central blocks aiding shock absorption over rocks and other obstacles.

The rear pattern adopts V-Block Technology (V-BT) to deliver exceptional traction and control sliding and Reinforced Scoop Technology (RST) which also improves the tire’s ability to dig into soft ground. PCBT is also applied to the rear, increasing flexibility and edge effect for improved grip at lean angles. These technologies combine to deliver improved dry and wet grip and traction, better predictability and increased compliance on both front and rear profiles. 

Dmitri Talboom, Product Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, adds: “The Geomax EN92 range combines several of our most innovative off-road technologies, many of which are inspired by Dunlop’s experience at the highest level of motocross competition. Our new products offer an upgrade in performance in almost all areas of performance, making Geomax EN92 a compelling choice for riders who demand performance, reliability and consistency in a range of gruelling off-road conditions.”

The Dunlop Geomax EN92 line-up will be available across Europe from early 2026. Dunlop recommends pairing Geomax EN92 with its latest European-produced Geomax Mousse puncture-proof inserts, which will also become available in a phased rollout throughout late 2025 and early 2026.

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The 12-hour race is one of Europe’s most challenging enduro events, with more than 75 three-rider teams racing over a rugged 7 km track from midnight until midday. The track’s mix of forest trails, downhill sections and technical challenges take rider skill and durability to the extreme, making it a perfect test of performance for Dunlop Geomax enduro tires.

The Husqvara Belgique trio of Jens Getteman, Kevin Fors, and Tanguy Gabriel relied on the race-proven Dunlop Geomax EN91 for its combination of grip and durability at the event, crossing the line after 76 laps with a two-minute lead ahead of second-placed KTM Sport Benelux. Geomax EN91’s compound, which features hexagonal and tilted crown blocks, is specifically designed to provide agile handling and the highest grip on off-road surfaces, making the 12H La Chinelle a perfect test of performance for Dunlop’s flagship enduro product.

The race is run with open tire competition, giving Dunlop the opportunity to demonstrate Geomax EN91’s performance against rival brands. The KTM Wheeling Team of Valentin Lacasse, Jerome Martiny and Harry Seel also chose to tackle the demanding course with Geomax EN91 tires beneath them, finishing the event in fourth position and adding to a strong overall showing for Dunlop-equipped teams.

Beyond its triumph in the 12H La Chinelle, Geomax EN91 has established itself as a top choice for enduro riders of all levels, carrying riders to success at the 6DAYS® FIM Enduro of Nations, and equipping multiple Enduro European and Junior Enduro World Champions in recent years. 

Tires from the Dunlop Geomax range will continue this trend, offering riders increased grip, compliance and excellent traction in the most demanding competitions and across varied terrains, including at this month’s 6DAYS FIM Enduro of Nations in Italy.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: "Congratulations to our Dunlop-equipped teams for their success at such a gruelling event. The 12H of La Chinelle is a true test of endurance, with varied terrain and long riding hours through dusk and dawn. The Dunlop Geomax range is designed to deliver performance in exactly these demanding conditions, and we’re very pleased to see two Dunlop-equipped teams finish with such success. This result is testament to the confidence top riders of all levels have in Dunlop Geomax performance and durability.”

Wim Vandeheyden, Team Manager, Husqvarna Belgique, added: “Thanks to the versatile nature of our Dunlop tires and mousses, we gained an edge over the competition both on track and in the pit lane. Dunlop’s durability allowed us to save valuable time by avoiding unnecessary tire changes. Over 12 hours of racing, the conditions can change lap by lap, but from dusk till dawn the Dunlop Geomax tires proved the ideal choice.”

From the opening laps, riders and teams were not only fighting for position, but also learning how to extract maximum performance from their tires. In the end, they relied on the proven performance of Dunlop’s KR range, while carefully managing machine performance and physical stamina in unforgiving conditions.

Despite the challenge, Dunlop’s KR149F/KR151F front tires and the KR133 rear tires once again proved their capability. Teams benefitted from consistent grip, fast warm-up times and strong reliability, which was instrumental in helping Superstock Trophy and Formula EWC teams equipped with Dunlop maintain pace throughout the event.

Competitive Superstock Trophy battle in Suzuka heat

Hikari Okubo, Kazuki Watanabe and Motoharu Ito led the Dunlop-equipped #25 Team Étoile BMW to victory in the Superstock Trophy class at Suzuka, overcoming the intense heat and humidity to secure a win in front of their home crowd. They started the weekend strongly, securing pole position in the Superstock Trophy class on Friday, lining up ahead of the #41 Kaedear-Dafy-Rac41-Honda and the #44 No Limits Honda, starting P20, P21 and P25 respectively in the overall classification.

The #49 Revo-M2 Aprilia made early progress, showing podium potential from the opening laps and joining the lead battle alongside the #44 and #41 Hondas, along with the #49 Aprilia. A delayed pitstop dropped the #25 Team Étoile BMW to fifth, but the fast warm-up time of the KR range allowed them to retake the lead before the next round of pitstops. 

The race took another turn when championship leader #55 National Motos Honda retired after a crash nearly two hours in, followed by a fuel-related issue for the #44 Honda No Limits and a crash for the #41 Honda team, opening the door for the #64 Kawasaki Plaza Racing Team and #93 TONE Team 4413 EVA 02 BMW to challenge for the podium. Nevertheless, the Japanese team climbed back to the top of the podium before the end of the eight-hour race, finishing P17 overall. The #93 BMW and the #49 Aprilia completed the podium.

Strong climb for Dunlop’s Formula EWC entries

The KR149F/KR151F front tires, combined with the newly introduced S-SLK rear profile, delivered the responsive feel and stable performance the Dunlop-equipped Formula EWC teams needed for consistent lap times throughout the race. This allowed riders to fully focus on their strategy and execution while maintaining strong late-race pace, ultimately helping European full time entrants #99 Elf Marc VDS Racing Team / KM99 Yamaha and #6 ERC Endurance BMW finish P9 and P11 respectively.

The #99 Elf Marc VDS Racing Team / KM99 Yamaha was the top qualifier on Friday, lining up just ahead of the #6 ERC Endurance BMW in P18 and P19 overall. The two teams maintained their early positions, which was already a strong showing given the unrelenting heat and demands placed on tires, riders and machines. 

By the two-hour mark, both Dunlop-equipped Formula EWC entries had steadily worked their way up the field to P12 and P14. At the halfway point, both the Belgian #99 team and the German #6 teams climbed up to the top ten by the four-hour mark and remained close to it for the remainder of the race. The other full-season Formula EWC entry equipped with Dunlop tires, #65 Motobox Kremer Racing Yamaha, finished P23 after starting the race in P41, climbing a good amount of positions throughout the race.

In the end, Dunlop fitted over 1000 tires and deployed a combined team of 25 engineers, fitters and support staff from both Europe and Japan. This international collaboration brought together Dunlop’s technical expertise, local knowledge and proven products to ensure seamless support for European teams traveling to Suzuka as well as Asia-based entrants.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe commented: “Congratulations to all the Superstock Trophy podium finishers and our Dunlop-equipped Formula EWC teams. Suzuka is always a demanding race, physically, mentally and technically, but this year’s extreme heat and humidity made it even more challenging. We’re happy with how our KR compound performed in those conditions, demonstrating its durability and giving riders in both classes the confidence to push until the very end. Now we look ahead to the final race of the season, which’ll once again provide plenty of racing action.”

The 2025 FIM EWC season will finish at Circuit Paul Ricard in France with the Bol d’Or weekend taking place over the weekend of September 18th to 21st.

Among the full-season European entries in the Formula EWC category are the #6 ERC Endurance BMW, the #65 Motobox Kremer Racing Yamaha and the #99 Elf Marc VDS Racing Team/KM99 Yamaha. These teams are joined by six highly competitive Japanese teams representing BMW, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha, demonstrating the confidence leading teams have in Dunlop's performance and reliability. 

In addition to its presence in the Formula EWC category, Dunlop remains the exclusive tire supplier to the Superstock Trophy class. At Suzuka, this means supporting all 18 teams entered in the class, underlining Dunlop’s commitment to fostering a competitive and highly skilled field of both emerging talent and experienced contenders. 

The Superstock Trophy grid features a mix of local favourites and international entries. Home favourite #25 Team Étoile BMW, defending winner #93 TONE Team 4413 EVA 02 BMW and last year’s champion #55 National Motos Honda return to the grid as part of a strong field of challengers, making this one of the most competitive Superstock Trophy grids yet. They’re joined by a strong line-up of Japanese teams running on Dunlop tires across a range of manufacturers: Aprilia, BMW, Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha.

Track evolution and tire innovation

In preparation for this year’s race, the unique ‘figure-of-eight’ circuit has undergone a complete resurfacing, with particular attention given to the East Course. Subtle but important layout changes have been introduced in Sector 1, including the addition of double kerbs at the Degner curves to improve rider safety through the fast and technical Esses.

To help teams adapt to the updated track conditions, Dunlop draws on combined expertise from its European and Japanese motorsport operations. This collaboration ensures all teams receive tailored technical support and access to a wide range of tires, including multiple specifications of the KR racing slicks, specifically the KR149F/KR151F for the front and the KR133 for the rear, designed to deliver the grip and durability required to perform for long stints in high-temperature and demanding conditions. A new tire profile featuring updated technology will also debut in the Formula EWC category this weekend, aimed at improving performance and consistency further.

The opening rounds of the 2025 FIM EWC season have already presented teams with unpredictable, mixed-weather conditions at Le Mans and Spa. Should similar weather return at Suzuka Circuit, all Dunlop-equipped teams will have proven wet-weather options available, including the KR189 front and KR405 rear full wet tires. In addition to the possibility of rain, Suzuka is known for its extreme weather conditions, including high ambient and track temperatures and intense humidity. These factors make it one of the most demanding races on the calendar, pushing riders, bikes and tires to their limits.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe commented: “We’re proud to be supporting a diverse and competitive field of teams at the Suzuka 8 Hours. It’s one of the most technically demanding circuits on the calendar and this year’s resurfacing adds an extra layer of complexity. By combining Dunlop’s international racing experience with local expertise from our team in Japan, we’re able to provide consistent performance and trusted support to every Dunlop-equipped team. This allows each team to maximise their performance throughout the weekend, whether they’re chasing a podium in the Formula EWC class or battling for victory in the Superstock Trophy category.”

On-track action begins at Suzuka with free practice, qualifying, and night practice on Friday 1 August, followed by the top-10 qualifying shootout on Saturday. The 46th edition of the Suzuka 8 Hours gets underway at 11:30 local time (04:30 CEST) on Sunday, 3 August.

There are very few riders in modern motocross that are as tenacious, talented and utterly driven as Romain Febvre. For more than a decade, the Frenchman has been a fixture at the very front of the FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP) and, as such, he has cemented himself as one of the most celebrated riders in modern MX racing.

In 2015, Febvre stunned the sport when, in his very first season in the MXGP class, he stormed to win the championship title. That season marked the beginning of a career that would see the Frenchman become not only a regular Grand Prix winner, but a serial contender on the world stage as a reigning champion.

Since then, he has represented France with distinction at the Motocross of Nations, leading the team to four victories in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2023. His fierce battles over the years with the likes of Tim Gasjer, Jeffrey Herlings, and Jorge Prado are already etched in Grand Prix motocross history, and have helped define what has arguably been a golden era of MXGP competition.

Febvre is now in his fifth season with Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP (KRT), continuing to fight at the front of the World Championship standings alongside fellow Dunlop-equipped teammate Pauls Jonass. Many feel, with some justification, that he deserves another world title before he hangs up his helmet. And with the coveted red plate currently in his possession, there is a growing sense that another world title could well be within reach.

Dunlop caught up with Romain to discuss his long-standing relationship with Dunlop and to learn more about how he approaches tire selection during MXGP race weekends.

Dunlop Geomax MX14: Built for sand, proven everywhere 

Tire performance is no small part of Febvre’s story. Since joining KRT in 2019, he has relied on tires from the Dunlop Geomax range to carry him to success, which he praises for their all-round grip, stability and consistency.

“My favourite Dunlop tire is the sand tire, the Geomax MX14,” he says. “We’ve got the latest one now. We’re riding much more with that tire on normal tracks, so we had to adapt it to be rideable on all types of soils. I’m really happy with that tire because it gives me confidence everywhere, even on hardpack.”

Geomax MX14 is purpose-designed for sand tracks and loose terrain, with its tall tread blocks and pronounced scoop design delivering outstanding grip when accelerating, braking, and cornering. A series of refinements since its launch in 2022 have now seen it become a go-to choice for riders up and down the grid.

As one of the few World Championships still featuring open tire competition, choosing the right tire brand is an important decision for each team or rider, but Dunlop’s recent success in the championship has made it the choice of many top teams and riders. Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP, Monster Energy Triumph Racing, Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing and several leading WMX teams all trust Dunlop to carry them to success. Last season, both the MX2 and WMX titles were claimed on Dunlop tires, with Kay de Wolf (Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing) and Lotte van Drunen (De Baets Yamaha MX Team) securing victory in each class, respectively.

In the United States, Dunlop Geomax tires continue to be the top choice for most riders in AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross, having helped secure every title in both championships since 2010.

“Since the start of the season, we’ve used [Geomax MX14] in almost every race,” Febvre continues. “That’s been really good: especially for the starts. Now we launch from metal mesh, which makes getting consistent traction tricky. With the Geomax MX14, we can avoid sliding.”

Hands-on tire development

This level of performance is no surprise. Dunlop provides a range of development and off-the-shelf tires from its Geomax motocross range to all its supported riders in the MXGP, MX2 and WMX classes, whose feedback is vital in developing the next generation of Geomax tires. This ensures that top teams benefit from the latest and most innovative Dunlop technology. 

Dunlop’s Geomax range has evolved considerably in recent years, including with Febvre’s favoured Geomax MX14, and with the introduction of Dunlop’s most recent addition to the range: Geomax MX34. 

Febvre has played a key role in this development process: “We are always working really closely with Dunlop to keep developing the tires. Over the years, many have been tested and improved,” he explains.

“Often, the engineers from Dunlop come over. We sit down and talk about what the riders - myself or my teammates - want, and give feedback on tire design. We can tweak stiffness or softness. At least two or three times a year we get a new tire to try. We use them, and then refine them again for racing. The goal is always to create the best tire possible.”

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, adds to Romain’s sentiments: “Working with a rider of Romain’s calibre is crucial to our motocross tire development. His feedback, experience, and consistent top-level performances help shape products that benefit not just factory teams, but our off-the-shelf customers too. Geomax MX14’s success across different conditions reflects that collaboration.”

Eyes on the prize

Febvre is enjoying a stellar season. The Frenchman has never previously had such a strong start to a campaign, claiming five moto victories and four overall wins during the first 12 rounds of the series. His efforts have earned him a commanding 32-point over his nearest rival in the championship.

As a result, Febvre will once again fit the coveted red plate, reserved only for the series leader, to his bike as the MXGP circus heads to the KymiRing Circuit in Iitti, Finland, this weekend.

“I’m trying to keep the red plate as long as I can,” he says. “I’m really happy to be in this position, leading the championship. I feel good at the moment. I’ll try to open up the gap a bit more and do everything I can to keep the red plate to the end - and win my second world title.”

Van Achter adds: “Romain’s success this season speaks volumes about the performance and reliability of our off-road products across varying track conditions. We wish Romain, and all Dunlop-supported riders in the championship, every success for the remainder of the season.”

Since its launch in 2022, the Stark VARG MX has turned heads in the motocross sector with its gearless, all-electric powertrain. Delivering 80 hp at the rear wheel and powered by a 6.5 kWh battery, it offers range and performance on par with traditional 450 cc bikes, significantly reduced running costs and near-silent operation. For 2025, the bike benefits from a series of refinements, including factory fitment of Dunlop’s latest motocross tire.

Dunlop Geomax MX34 is designed to perform across soft, mud and intermediate terrain and sits in Dunlop’s motocross range between the sand and mud-orientated Geomax MX14 and the intermediate to hardpack-focused Geomax MX53. The combination of Dunlop’s race-proven Geomax technology and the VARG MX’s immediate torque delivery will help to achieve a truly responsive off-road experience, and allow riders to unlock the bike’s full potential on track.

Dunlop Geomax MX34 delivers improved cornering performance and front and rear slide control versus its predecessor, Geomax MX33, providing the straight-line stability and corner control that is crucial for riders to perform at their best in motocross competition. Adding to that is Dunlop’s patented Progressive Cornering Block Technology, which facilitates superior absorption and improved ground contact for optimal traction and performance.

Miguel Morais, Original Equipment Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe: “We are proud to see Dunlop Geomax MX34 chosen as the standard tire fitment for the Stark VARG MX. This new partnership with Stark Future reflects our brands’ shared commitment to both performance and innovation in the motocross world. Pairing the VARG MX with Dunlop’s flagship soft-mid motocross tire offers riders a package that will deliver performance, stability and confidence across a range of conditions, empowering them to give their all on the track.”

The collaboration with Stark Future builds on Dunlop’s portfolio of global original equipment fitments across leading motocross brands, including with Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha, KTM/GasGas and Husqvarna. It also marks the first time a Dunlop motocross product has been selected as standard equipment on an all-electric off-road motorcycle.

Anton Wass, Founder & CEO, Stark Future: "At Stark, we aim to deliver the best value possible for our customers from day one. Our customer feedback makes our priorities clear and the Dunlop Geomax MX34 is a clear winner in those surveys. Choosing Dunlop as an option for a first-fit partner was therefore a natural decision, one that underlines our commitment to equipping every Stark rider with the best tailored bike possible for their needs."

Dunlop Geomax MX34 is fitted to the Stark VARG MX in 80/100-21 and 110/90-19 front and rear sizes, respectively.

Taking place in the Bavarian ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on 4-6 July, this year’s BMW Motorrad Days is the 20th anniversary of the manufacturers’ legendary rider event. As well as being the perfect opportunity to test out the latest bikes, the festival also features live music, performances and stunt shows to create a true summer party atmosphere. 

Dunlop and Avon will share a tent at the event, displaying key products from both brands’ ranges. Since Avon became part of the Goodyear family of brands in 2022, the two brands have already exhibited together at a number of key events including EICMA, the MCN London Motorcycle Show and the Salon du 2 Roues in Paris. Earlier this year, Avon’s new brand identity was launched with the statement ‘Made to be different’.

Key products from both brands will be showcased on bikes centre stage in the tent: Dunlop Trailmax Raid (Dunlop’s 50/50 on/off-road adventure tire) fitted to a BMW R1300GS and Avon Spirit ST (Avon’s sport touring hero product) on a BMW F900R.

In addition, visitors can learn about popular products in both ranges, including Dunlop’s RoadSmart IV, SportSmart mk4, SportSmart TT, Mutant, Trailmax Raid, Trailmax Meridian, Trailmax Mission and Trailmax Mixtour. Avon will display its 3D Supersport, Spirit ST, Cobra Chrome and TrekRider. 

Both Dunlop and Avon are one of the popular choices for BMW riders, with tires suiting the brands’ sports, sports touring, adventure bikes and more. Recently, Dunlop RoadSmart IV and SportSmart Mk3 were chosen as original equipment fitments for the BMW R1300R and R1300RS, further highlighting the relationship between the brands.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager Motorcycle Europe, Goodyear: “We are proud of our relationship with BMW Motorrad and both Dunlop and Avon continue to be the choice of countless BMW riders around the world. As such, coming to the BMW Motorrad Days is a fantastic opportunity to meet thousands of passionate BMW fans and show them our biggest ever range of tires for their bikes. We’re looking forward to an exciting and enjoyable 20th edition of this legendary event.”

Dunlop’s activation at the event will include a display of its latest adventure and off-road lineups, including Trailmax Raid, Dunlop’s 50/50 on/off-road adventure offering, Trailmax Meridian, designed for 90% on-road adventure touring, the Mutant crossover tire with its excellent wet weather performance, and Trailmax, the essential tire for single cylinder and mid-size twin cylinder trail bikes.

A range of tires from Dunlop’s wider off-road tire lineup will also be featured, including the renowned enduro models D908RR and D952, the ultra-sticky trials tire Geomax Trial TL01, and the Geomax EN91, which has proven to offer superb versatility and grip across a wide range of riding conditions.

To support riders taking on some of the festival’s 50km of purpose-built off-road trails, Dunlop will offer an on-site tire fitting service in partnership with fully licensed provider Holbeach Motorcycle Tyres (HMT), enabling riders to pre-order Trailmax Raid, Trailmax Meridian or Mutant tires and have them professionally fitted at the event.

Dunlop introduced this service in partnership with HMT last year, which saw hundreds of riders equip their bikes with adventure-ready tires ahead of tackling one of the festival’s trail routes, or opt for a fresh set of road-focused tires for the journey home.

Peter Huckin, Dunlop Motorcycle Sales and Marketing Manager UK and Ireland: “We’re excited to return to Adventure Bike Rider Festival with an expanded presence and a stronger focus on supporting riders both on and off the trails. This year we’re offering a bigger on-site tire fitting service, giving riders the convenience of having their new adventure tires professionally fitted during the event. 

“This service proved very popular last year, so we’re building on that success by reintroducing it this year and offering the option to have used tires shipped back home. We look forward to being part of an event that brings together so many passionate riders.”

Test ride top bikes on the Dunlop Test Ride Loop

Dunlop also returns to the ABR Festival this year as title sponsor of the official manufacturer test route, now named the Dunlop Test Ride Loop. This five-kilometre course forms part of the festival’s extensive off-road trail network and gives riders the chance to experience new machines in both on and off-road conditions.

Every major bike brand will be present with a fleet of adventure and touring models available for test rides throughout the weekend. Selected models from Yamaha’s adventure range and Suzuki’s V-Strom lineup will come fitted with Dunlop tires, allowing riders to feel first-hand the performance and grip these tires deliver across varied terrain.

Huckin added: “The Dunlop Test Ride Loop is a brilliant opportunity for riders to explore what a bike can really do when matched with the right tires. We want riders to experience the traction and feedback our products are built to provide. It’s a unique chance to try something new and test both bike and tire in real-world conditions.”

Adventure Bike Rider Festival 2025 takes place at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, United Kingdom on the weekend of 27-29 June. Riders can pre-book tire fittings at the show by clicking here, or learn more about the Dunlop Test Ride Loop by clicking here.

All teams in the Superstock Trophy and Production Trophy classes, where Dunlop is the exclusive tire supplier, along with six Dunlop-equipped entries in the open-competition Formula EWC class, chose from the wide range of KR compounds, with teams selecting KR109 front and KR108 rear ranges in dry conditions, while KR191 fronts, alongside KR393 wet or KR398i intermediate rears, were available for wet weather. The tires’ fast warm-up, wide operating window and reliable feedback proved essential on a damp track, allowing riders to push in constantly evolving conditions.

Superstock and Production Trophy success at Spa-Francorchamps

In the Superstock Trophy, pole position was claimed by the #9 Champion-MRP-Tecmas BMW on Friday. The French team was one of four Superstock teams breaking into the overall top ten in the opening minutes of the race, joining the #99 Elf Marc VDS Racing Team/KM99 Yamaha to bring the total of Dunlop-equipped teams in the top ten to five. 

The standout performance came from the #777 Wojcik Racing Team Yamaha in the early part of the race, making its 2025 EWC debut by climbing to seventh place overall in the first hours. The team used the early laps to generate consistent pace at the front of the Superstock class, showcasing the confidence found in the KR range.

As the mixed conditions persisted, the #9 BMW remained in class contention. With Sector 1 soaked and Sector 2 nearly dry at one point, the #9 team of Leandro Denis Mercado, Hannes Soomer and Jan Bühn managed sector-by-sector grip changes with precision, relying on Dunlop’s consistency across damp and dry asphalt. They emerged victorious in the Superstock class, finishing eighth overall. #18 POMPIERS IGOL CMS MOTOSTORE Yamaha followed closely, securing second in class, and reigning Superstock champions #55 Honda National Motos completed the podium at Spa, finishing P11 overall.

In the Production Trophy class, the #42 Green Team Lycee Sainte Claire Kawasaki continued its perfect qualifying run this season to start from pole. Throughout the eight-hour race, positions shuffled frequently among the six competing teams. At the halfway point, the #199 ARTEC Kawasaki and #222 Team Supermoto Racing Yamaha were locked in a close battle for the lead. In the end, it was the #222 Team Supermoto Racing Yamaha that claimed their second Production Trophy win of the season at Spa-Francorchamps, followed by the #199 ARTEC team and the #42 Kawasaki.

ERC Endurance Team leads Dunlop charge in Formula EWC

In the Formula EWC category, the six Dunlop-equipped teams impressed with their performance and determination despite the ever-changing conditions. 

The #6 BMW and the #99 Yamaha were the highest-starting Dunlop teams in their class, lining up seventh and eighth respectively. After securing a podium at the season-opening 24H Motos in Le Mans, the German ERC Endurance Team looked to continue their strong form at Spa. Although a technical issue caused them to lose ground at the start, the team responded quickly, climbing back to seventh by the end of the first hour. As pit stops started as early as 30 minutes into the race due to the quickly changing weather, ERC capitalised and briefly ran as high as second. They maintained consistent top-ten pace throughout, ultimately finishing sixth overall, demonstrating the performance and reliability of the KR range in both wet and dry conditions.

The #99 Yamaha also impressed early on, but dropped out of podium condition after running out of fuel around the two-hour mark. Despite this setback, they rebounded with strong pace and determination, alongside strong durability and pace provided by the Dunlop tires, climbing back to P12.

The #65 Motobox Kremer Racing Yamaha finished P15 after starting the race in P26, followed by the #53 Mana-au Competition Honda in P16, who managed to climb thirteen places after starting in P29. The #14 Maco Racing Team Yamaha crossed the finish line in P27, while #90 Team LRP Poland BMW secured P28.

David Auerbacher, International Motorcycle Race Event Leader, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “Congratulations to all the Dunlop-equipped teams for delivering exceptional performance in what is one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar. The wet conditions, fast-drying track as well as sudden weather changes demanded complete confidence in tire performance, so we’re proud that our Dunlop tires once again delivered the performance and stability needed to compete at the front of all categories.”

The FIM Endurance World Championship continues with the iconic Suzuka 8 Hours on August 3rd, followed by the Bol d’Or at Circuit Paul Ricard on September 21st.

With its challenging fast corners, elevation changes, and famously unpredictable Belgian weather, Spa is a true test for both rider and machine. Strategy and tire choice will play a crucial role as teams face the unique challenges of this iconic circuit. 

Dunlop continues to be the trusted partner for teams across the grid, supporting 6 teams in the Formula EWC class, all 22 teams in the Superstock Trophy and all 6 teams in the new Production Trophy. The Production Trophy welcomes PRD Team CL Racing and Flying Buffs M3 Racing as new entries this weekend, while Moto Ain Racing Team makes the switch from Formula EWC to the championship’s entry-level category. 

Every Dunlop-equipped team can choose from a range of KR109 and KR108 slicks, designed to deliver everything from strong one-lap pace to long-distance durability. As Spa’s variable weather can turn dry conditions into wet conditions in an instant, the combination of strong grip and consistent performance is the key to success in challenging conditions. Additionally, this year’s race takes place on a partially resurfaced track, promising improved grip and a smoother ride. A total of 3.5 km of runway and over 600 m of pitlane has been resurfaced, with the new tarmac laid between turn 17 and turn 2 (including the pitlane), turn 4 to turn 8, and turn 14 to turn 15. Riders can expect the best possible conditions to push their limits, while Dunlop’s KR tires provide the confidence to attack from the first lap.

Dunlop has a strong record at Spa with teams and riders achieving podium finishes and victories over recent years. In 2024, the #111 Team Aviobike by M2 Revo Aprilia secured the win in the Superstock Trophy class, while Dunlop-supported EWC teams impressed with their late-race pace, showcasing the strength of Dunlop’s tire technology, despite facing setbacks that kept them out of the fight for the overall victory. This weekend, the Production Trophy will crown its first-ever winner at Spa. 

Looking at the standings, privateer #6 ERC Endurance Team (BMW) holds third place in the Formula EWC standings after an impressive return to the series with a podium finish at Le Mans. In the Superstock Trophy, reigning champion #55 National Motos Honda FMA continues to lead the standings, followed by #41 Dafy-Rac Honda and the #36 3ART Best of Bike Yamaha. Meanwhile, in the all-new Production Trophy, the #222 Team Supermoto Racing Yamaha leads the way, ahead of the #199 Artec Kawasaki and the #42 Green Team Lycee Sainte Claire Kawasaki.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “We're excited to support 34 teams at this year’s 8 Hours of Spa Motos, spanning Formula EWC, Superstock Trophy and Production Trophy classes. Spa’s combination of technical challenges and unpredictable weather creates the ultimate proving ground for our racing tires, helping us refine the next generation of the KR range in the process. We wish all the teams and riders the best of luck for this second round of the season.”

On-track action begins at Spa with a two-hour free practice session on Friday 06 June, followed by two qualifying sessions. The 8-hour race begins at 12:30 on Saturday, 07 June.

In recent editions of the 6DAYS®, Dunlop Geomax EN91 tires have been the choice of leading teams in professional and club categories. This year will be no different, with top teams at all levels choosing Dunlop for the race that will take place in the northern Italian city of Bergamo from Sunday 24 to Friday 29 August. 

Introduced in 2021, the Dunlop Geomax Challenge has underlined Dunlop’s support for amateur racers and teams in the Club Team Award category. Once again, teams using Dunlop Geomax tires in this class will be eligible for a special tire package offer, official Dunlop rider kit and exclusive prizes (such as a Dunlop Sparco racing seat and passes to MXGP races) for the top five positions.

Dunlop enduro racers are familiar with Dunlop Geomax EN91, which have equipped previous 6DAYS® class winners and multiple Enduro European and Junior Enduro World Champions in recent years. Professional and club riders alike will be able to experience the same versatility and grip over a wide range of riding conditions. New for this year, Dunlop will introduce new specifications of mousses to provide even more protection on the unpredictable terrain.

Dunlop teams in all classes will benefit from the expertise of Dunlop’s licenced service provider Barani Gomme, who will ensure that every entrant using Dunlop Geomax tires receives top quality support throughout the event.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe: “We’re thrilled to renew our long-standing partnership with the FIM by bringing the Dunlop Geomax Challenge back for the 99th edition of the iconic 6DAYS® in Italy. This event is more than just a race - it’s a celebration of passion, performance, and the trust riders place in Dunlop to conquer the toughest terrain. The Geomax Challenge is designed to spotlight rider talent and elevate competition, offering a premium platform for both club and amateur riders. The 6DAYS® is one of the few global events where amateurs line up alongside professional riders, and we’re proud to support them all with our cutting-edge Geomax tire technology. We can’t wait to see our Geomax tires in action on Italian soil and to celebrate the incredible achievements of every rider taking part.”

Fabio Muner, FIM Marketing & Digital Director: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Dunlop for this year’s 6DAYS®, a relationship that has seen us work together for six years since we first joined forces in 2019. The Dunlop Geomax EN91 tire is highly regarded in the sport of Enduro and the 6DAYS® will again provide the ultimate testing platform for this product. Dunlop will bring important technical support to the amateur competitors who will be able to enter the Dunlop Geomax Challenge. Finally on behalf of the FIM I would like to thank Dunlop for renewing their support.”

More information about the Dunlop Geomax Challenge is available here.

This year’s tour begins on 8 June in Rome, Italy, from where over nine days, riders will cover 2,500 kilometres aboard Honda Africa Twin motorcycles, travelling through eight countries. The tour will navigate winding mountain roads, demanding off-road sections and dense forest routes before concluding in Istanbul, Turkey.

Dunlop Trailmax Raid was the carefully selected choice for the tour, designed for riders who require confidence-inspiring off-road performance and excellent wet and dry traction on the road. Dunlop’s 50/50 on/off-road tire was revealed two years ago and has since become renowned for its proven performance across varied terrain, including tarmac, gravel and off-road surfaces.

The main group of 30 customer riders will be joined by a selection of journalists and content creators, as well as two professional Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) riders for the journey.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe: “We’re delighted to have been chosen as a partner for Honda Adventure Roads 2025. It is a very clear endorsement of Dunlop’s newest adventure product. We introduced Trailmax Raid to our range as Dunlop’s first 50/50 on/off-road tire, and it has quickly established itself as the go-to choice for riders, enthusiasts, riding schools, and journalists across Europe. It delivers impressive off-road capability while maintaining excellent grip on wet and dry roads, making it the perfect choice for this challenging multi-terrain, cross-border adventure. Honda Adventure Roads will be a true test of both rider and machine, but Dunlop Trailmax Raid is more than up to the challenge!”

Trailmax Raid is positioned in Dunlop’s trail range alongside Trailmax Meridian, and highlights Dunlop’s strongest adventure trail offering to date. Trailmax Meridian offers off-road capability for occasional use, whereas Trailmax Raid is designed specifically for riders who demand more regular off-road performance. 

With a range stretching from Trailmax Meridian to the pure off-road D908RR, and as part of a portfolio that also includes the incredibly versatile Mutant, the value-orientated Trailmax, Trailmax Mixtour and the globetrotter tire Trailmax Mission; Trailmax Raid covers the needs of riders requiring ultimate versatility from their adventure bikes.

Nick Bennett, Brand Marketing Section Manager, Honda Motor Europe: “We are very excited to welcome Dunlop onboard as a selected partner to the Honda Adventure Roads series. The CRF1100L Africa Twin is renowned for its toughness and go-anywhere ability and has formed an integral part of the series. Pairing it with the 50/50 on/off Dunlop Trailmax Raid tire will only enhance the entire trip experience for riders, offering the versatility needed for a variety of terrain and riders of differing skill levels.”

Honda Adventure Roads 2025 begins from Rome, Italy on 8 June and will conclude in Istanbul, Turkey nine days later. Follow updates from riders on the tour on the Dunlop and dedicated Honda Adventure Roads Instagram pages.

Dunlop RoadSmart IV and SportSmart Mk3 are available on different versions of both bikes. For the standard variants, Dunlop RoadSmart IV gives riders test-winning¹ sports touring performance on dry and wet roads, all year round. 

For an even sportier feel, the R1300R Performance and R1300RS Performance models come equipped with Dunlop SportSmart Mk3 tires, which combine with sport suspension, sport seats and engine spoilers to let riders experience the dynamic riding fun of these boxer twin bikes even more. SportSmart Mk3 comes from Dunlop’s renowned hypersport range, which features technology developed on the racetrack during superbike championships.

Both tire variants come in 120/70ZR17 front and 190/55ZR17 rear sizes for the bikes’ 17-inch wheels, which are 1.4kg lighter than on the predecessor, allowing for improved acceleration and brake response. This combines to improve handling so riders can feel more feedback from their Dunlop tires. 

BMW’s choice of Dunlop tires for its new R1300R and R1300RS highlights the recent OE partnerships between the two brands. 

Miguel Morais, Original Equipment Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe: “We’re proud that BMW has chosen our RoadSmart IV and SportSmart Mk3 tires for its impressive new R1300R and R1300RS, and excited for riders to experience the riding thrill that these tires can deliver on sports bikes like these. We have a long established partnership with BMW as an OE tire supplier, and our successes with BMW teams on the race track is the perfect way to underline Dunlop’s race to road development philosophy.”

1. https://news.goodyear.eu/en-us/dunlop-roadsmart-iv-rated-very-good-in-motorrad-magazine-test/

The new brand identity has been applied to its and social media channels: @avontyresofficial on Instagram and Avon Tyres on Facebook. It will soon be visible on the updated website, too.

Following its inclusion in 2022 into the Goodyear family of brands, which includes Dunlop Motorcycle Tyres Europe, there has been a focus on emphasising Avon’s unique offering and positioning. The new brand strategy strives to engage freethinking riders, whilst energising Avon’s loyal customers. 

A proud history, an investment in the future

Drawing on the brand’s heritage that goes back to 1904, Avon stands for great quality at a fair price, giving riders a product they can rely on to perform strongly and keep them safe, without compromising on style. The targeted product offering is proudly different, complementing the Dunlop range to provide a comprehensive offering. 

Reinforcing its commitment to quality, Avon Tyres has been at the centre of a major industrial upgrade with the company’s European manufacturing centre benefiting from a significant recent investment. This includes the addition of five state of the art building machines, and an all-new finishing line dedicated to the eye-catching white walls that characterise the Avon custom range. This has resulted in a massive increase in production capacity for the Avon brand, higher product quality, in line with Goodyear’s standards, proactive in meeting growing demands and future expansions. Many previously existing sizes have been re-engineered from the ground up to increase performance, and to comply with strict Goodyear corporate standards and industry regulations.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager Motorcycle Europe: “We are enthusiastic about launching Avon’s new identity. The brand’s rich maverick heritage is something that riders value and identify with, and we are confident that a product range that combines style, performance and value will encourage more riders to experience Avon tyres.”

Growing the reach, growing the brand

The year ahead features new products, a sellout campaign to help Avon dealers reach new riders, worldwide distribution and an original equipment project to reinforce Avon’s trusted supplier position. 

• Cobra Chrome is made to stand out. Its unforgettable snakeskin-effect tread and optional WhiteWalls are designed to give cruiser, touring and custom riders a boost of style and performance. The popular tyre includes 74 SKUs, 14 of which feature WhiteWalls, and fits over 750 motorcycle models worldwide. The future sees a specification upgrade for four existing sizes by August 2025, three new sizes for 2026 and potentially 13 additional sizes afterwards.
• Spirit ST is made for the endless ride. For maximum mileage and grip, this tyre is aimed at the sport touring market and delivers exceptional wet weather performance. The Avon fitment guide features over 830 Spirit ST model recommendations.
• 3D Supersport is made to perform for hypersport riders. Its excellent handling, reassuring stability and crystal-clear feedback let riders explore their limits. Avon’s sport range fits close to 600 motorcycle models.
• Roadrider MKII is made for true originals, combining a classic look with a modern construction and enhanced sidewall design. More than 1100 models are listed in the Avon fitment guide for Roadrider MKII fitment.

Furthermore, all new Avon products are in the early stages of development, and three essential Avon product lines will soon be reintegrated in the brand’s product range.

With heavy rain hitting the circuit just hours before the start, the 24-hour race quickly turned into a test of resilience and adaptability, where tire choice and consistency proved more crucial than ever. Across all categories - Formula EWC, Superstock Trophy, and the new Production Trophy - Dunlop-equipped teams relied on the proven performance of the KR range, which provided consistency, confidence, grip and fast warm-up as they navigated the demanding conditions and endurance racing’s usual challenges.

ERC Endurance Team returns to EWC with a podium finish at Le Mans

In the open competition Formula EWC category, the no. 6 ERC Endurance Team made a remarkable return to the EWC grid. After posting the third-fastest time in Thursday’s dry practice sessions and qualifying fifth, the German team held steady throughout the race, with the Dunlop KR tires enabling consistent lap times in both wet and dry conditions. Riders David Checa, Kenny Foray, Ilya Mykhalchyk and reserve rider Julian Puffe brought the no. 6 machine home in third place overall, which is a strong statement from the privateers after a season away. 

ERC Endurance Team’s result is also a testament to the performance of Dunlop tires across all conditions. From the KR109 and KR108 slicks that delivered strong dry performance to the KR393 wets and KR398i intermediates that provided grip and adaptability. Engineered to maximise both single-lap pace and long-distance race strategy, these tires demonstrated their capabilities in a weather-affected weekend with rapidly changing conditions. The team also managed to increase the pace even further towards the end of the race, setting fastest laps on track in various conditions, demonstrating enduring tire performance. 

The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team/KM99 made an early charge from eighth on the grid, climbing through the field in the opening hours. Though technical issues later in the race dropped them down the order, the team maintained incredible pace during the night to finish P13, gathering valuable experience and data for the development of the KR range.

Team LRP Poland, which started fourteenth, faced several setbacks during the race to retire seven hours in, with Maco Racing Team facing the same fate. Mana-au Competition and Motobox Kremer Racing Powered by 321 finished P15 and P17, respectively, demonstrating reliability in a challenging race. 

At the chequered flag, three of the top ten finishers were Dunlop-equipped teams, once again underlining Dunlop’s strength and consistency in the world of endurance motorcycle racing.

National Motos Honda leads the way in Superstock Trophy and Production Trophy crowns first-ever winner

In the Superstock class, for which Dunlop is the exclusive tire supplier, reigning champions National Motos Honda FMA secured victory in their class, and a highly impressive seventh place overall. The French team’s ability to fight within the top ten all race in an highly-competitive field and on a slippery Le Mans circuit highlights the dependable performance of Dunlop tires. Meanwhile, Dafy-Rac 41 Honda team claimed second in class, and tenth overall, while 3ART BEST OF BIKE completed the Superstock podium. 

In the new-for-2025 Production Trophy class, the no. 42 Green Team Lycee St Claire (Kawasaki) was fighting for the first-ever Production Trophy win right after the start, but was forced to retire early after a crash. This opened the door for no. 222 Team Super Moto Racing (Yamaha), who took full advantage of the situation to take the first-ever Production Trophy win. ARTEC’s no. 199 Kawasaki held on for second place in the competitive new category.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “Our Dunlop-supported teams delivered strong performances in what were truly demanding conditions. Races like this are the ultimate test of rider, tire and machine, and the Dunlop KR range once again demonstrated why they’re trusted tires at the highest level of endurance racing, providing confidence, stability and grip across changing track surfaces and temperatures.

He added, “Congratulations to the ERC Endurance Team for a strong return to the championship. We also want to congratulate National Motos Honda on their race win, continuing their Superstock momentum, and Team Super Moto Racing for making history as the first-ever winners of the Production Trophy. We’re happy to see such a diverse range of Dunlop-supported teams performing at the highest level of endurance racing.

With strong performances across all classes and half of the top ten teams riding on Dunlop tires, the 2025 season is shaping up to be another exciting year of close racing. The next EWC race is the 8 Hours of Spa Motos (6-7 June), followed by the Suzuka 8 Hours (1-3 August) and Bol d’Or (18-21 September).

Dunlop will bring a total of 3400 tires to the first round of the season to support 40 competing teams. This includes six top-tier Formula EWC teams who are racing on development tires, playing a key role in Dunlop’s innovation towards the next generation of hypersport tires. Meanwhile, all 31 Superstock teams and every Production Trophy team will each have access to two front and two rear options from Dunlop’s KR109 and KR108 ranges.

In the Formula EWC category, one of the few international motorcycle racing classes to still feature open tire competition, Dunlop continues to be the choice of leading teams. Among the teams running on Dunlop tires is the KM99 outfit, now competing under a new name following its partnership with Marc VDS Racing Team. The Belgian team aims to build on last season’s momentum, having finished the 2024 season with a second-place finish at Bol d’Or. 

Two returning teams have also chosen Dunlop for the 2025 season: the ERC BMW Endurance Team and Team LRP Poland. ERC BMW makes its return to the championship after a season away, fielding a strong lineup of David Checa, Kenny Foray, Illya Mykhalchyk and reserve rider Julian Puffe. Team LRP Poland also returns at Le Mans with Isle of Man TT legend Michael Dunlop, Enzo Boulom, Danny Webb and Marek Szkopek.

Long-time Dunlop partners Maco Racing Team (Yamaha) and Mana-Au Competition (Honda) continue to choose Dunlop tires in 2025, alongside Motobox Kremer Racing Powered by 321, bringing the total number of Formula EWC teams on Dunlop tires to six.

Exclusive tire supplier to the competitive Superstock category and brand-new Production Trophy class

Dunlop also continues to be the exclusive tire supplier to the Superstock category, continuing the partnership and the Dunlop Superstock Trophy for the fourth year in a row. This will see all 31 Superstock teams at Le Mans on Dunlop’s trusted KR racing slicks. Last year’s title winner, National Motos Honda, is looking to defend its Superstock title from the first round of the season onwards.

New for 2025 is the FIM Endurance World Trophy class, where Dunlop is also the exclusive tire supplier. Designed to offer a more accessible and affordable route into world-class endurance racing, the category features 1000cc bikes with only minimal modifications compared to their roadgoing counterparts, promising close, competitive action. The three-round series starts at Le Mans with the 24 Heures Motos, continues with the 8 Hours of Spa and concludes at the Bol d’Or.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “We’re pleased to expand our partnership with the Endurance World Championship further through the introduction of the FIM Endurance World Trophy class, which complements our continued involvement in both Formula EWC and Superstock Trophy. This broader engagement provides us with more opportunities to collaborate closely with teams and gather valuable data for the development of the Dunlop KR range. We’re also proud that top independent teams continue to place their trust in Dunlop, so we want to extend our thanks to the six Formula EWC teams that have chosen Dunlop tires for 2025 and wish them the very best throughout the season. We look forward to another exciting season ahead and wish all the teams the best of luck in the upcoming 2025 season.”

On-track action at Le Mans begins on Thursday 17 April, with the two qualifying sessions split between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. The 24 Heures Motos will then get underway at 15:00 CEST on Saturday 19 April. After Le Mans, EWC will host the 8 Hours of Spa Motos (6-7 June), Suzuka 8 Hours (1-3 August) and Bol d’Or (18-21 September).

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.

Leveraging the intense competition of CIV and other prestigious national and world championships its tires are raced in, Dunlop continues to refine and develop the latest track tire technology using crucial data. This ongoing innovation enhances both performance and rider confidence on the track, in classes at all levels.

In the highly competitive Supersport 600NG category, which saw six different winners across the twelve races and featured grids of more than 40 bikes last year, Dunlop will bring some key developments such as the introduction of a new softer rear compound for the riders to choose from, in addition to the new soft-medium rear tire launched in 2024.

Equally, Superbike riders will receive a new front tire, which, thanks to its new construction, will improve braking stability. In qualifying, a new rear compound will increase riders’ ability to push for rapid lap times over one or two laps longer than with the previous tire. Furthermore, with Production bike riders sharing a grid with the Superbike class, there are sure to be even more opportunities for overtakes and thrilling racing action with two classes of bikes on track at the same time.

The addition of the new Sportbike class is sure to add extra excitement to the CIV package, too. Replacing Supersport 300, the new class is open to popular models from the likes of Aprilia, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha. Dunlop will continue to support the Moto3 and PreMoto3 classes, too.

The 2025 season is returning to much-loved tracks across Italy like Mugello and Imola, kicking off at Misano on 5-6 April. Magic will return to Misano in July for the racing night, which saw large crowds in attendance in the past season. This year is set to bring even more emotions, merging thrilling racing, passionate fans and live music.

Aldo Ciccone, Racing Manager, Dunlop Italy: "The continuation of Dunlop’s partnership with FMI, as the sole tire supplier for CIV, is a testament to our shared commitment to performance and innovation. Dunlop’s continuous development, driven by the championship's competitive environment, ensures riders have access to cutting-edge tire technology. We are enthusiastic about the growing interest from the motorcycle community, with fans coming from all over the country and beyond, thanks to CIV’s high quality racing. With new compounds and constructions enhancing stability, grip, and strategy, we’re set for an even more thrilling season."
 

Dunlop SportSmart mk4 has been crowned the winner of the latest European sport tire magazine tests by MOTORRAD and PS Magazine, receiving particular praise for its grip, performance and quick warm-up on both wet and dry roads.

MOTORRAD, Europe’s largest motorcycle magazine, awarded SportSmart mk4 the title of Test Winner in the Sport category of its latest test, rating it ‘Very Good’ and presenting it with the ‘Buying Recommendation Dry’ and ‘Buying Recommendation Wet’ accolades.¹ The test assessed six sport and six hypersport tires on a BMW S1000RR in sizes 120/70ZR17 (front) and 190/55ZR17 (rear) across country roads and on track, in both wet and dry conditions.

MOTORRAD’s test team praised SportSmart mk4’s quick warm-up, handling, easy turn-in, and confidence-inspiring stability. On country roads, it excelled in agility and rider comfort, while on track - in both wet and dry conditions - its predictable grip and traction set it apart from its competitors.

In the test report, editors noted its “very good feedback” and “great cold-running properties” on country roads, as well as its “good-natured behaviour” on track, concluding that it was a “perfect debut for the new sport tire”.²

The tire ranked best of the six sport tires in the dry test on country roads, achieved the fastest wet lap time, and secured second place in the track section; enough to earn it the overall victory.

Two tests, two wins: PS also awards SportSmart mk4 top spot

PS also named SportSmart mk4 Test Winner status in its latest test, which assessed six sport and six hypersport tires in wet and dry categories on a BMW S1000RR. PS editors placed SportSmart mk4 at the top of the ranks across both categories, earning it the overall win.

PS testers were particularly impressed by its wet weather performance, noting: “After just a few corners, it is ready to go.” Testers also highlighted its “ultra-precise cornering behaviour” and ability to deliver “top feedback,” concluding that it was a “deserved overall victory.”³

SportSmart mk4 was developed and manufactured in Dunlop’s motorcycle centre of excellence in Montlucon, France, where many of its racing tires are also produced. Dunlop’s extensive experience in top level superbike and supersport racing is the inspiration for much of the technology used in its premium hypersport range, and SportSmart mk4 is the latest tire to benefit from race-proven innovations.

These developments include Dynamic Front Formula on the front tire, which helps to obtain the perfect balance between reduced steering effort, grip, stability and feel for the right match between both tires, and Carcass Tension Control System to tune the casing tension and optimise the footprint to get the most out of the tread compound.

This test success comes just one week after Dunlop redefined the motorcycle tire launch experience by creating a groundbreaking virtual event, Curvemaster, to introduce the SportSmart mk4 tire to the European market. The online event challenged traditional tire testing methods by offering more than 110 European journalists and influencers unprecedented control over their own testing environment.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “Launching a brand-new product in such a bold and disruptive way, and winning two comparative tests in one week, is an outstanding achievement. This test success for Dunlop confirms that our latest hypersport tire delivers best-in-class performance on both road and track. 

“We are delighted that SportSmart mk4 has been recognised so highly across two separate tests, excelling across all key areas and delivering an exceptionally well-balanced performance.”

1. MOTORRAD issue 07/2025. Six sport and six hypersport tires tested, sizes 120/70ZR17 (front) and 190/55ZR17 (rear). Test bike: BMW S1000RR. Comments translated from original German.
2. MOTORRAD issue 07/2025. Six sport and six hypersport tires tested, sizes 120/70ZR17 (front) and 190/55ZR17 (rear). Test bike: BMW S1000RR. Comments translated from original German.
3. PS issue 04/2025. Six sport and six hypersport tires tested, sizes 120/70ZR17 (front) and 190/55ZR17 (rear). Test bike: BMW S1000RR. Comments translated from original German.

A road-focused hypersport tire, the new SportSmart mk4 represents a substantial development thanks to relentless continuous improvement of every component in the tire. Designed for use predominantly on roads, SportSmart mk4 sits in the Dunlop hypersport range alongside the road/track-focused SportSmart TT.

The sheer versatility of SportSmart mk4, which is able to be fitted on the most popular naked, crossover and sports bikes, and on road or track, led Dunlop to consider how to give journalists and influencers more freedom to test it ‘their way’ rather than in controlled proving ground conditions. This inspired Curvemaster, proving Dunlop is not just launching a new tire; it is also launching a new way of thinking about product testing and collaboration.

The first stage of the event was presented in the style of a videogame, emphasising that testers can choose the route, the track, the conditions and the bike, as they will be testing SportSmart mk4 in their own chosen environment. The result is an unprecedented opportunity for Dunlop to gather feedback and real-world data. 

More than 110 prominent European motorcycle journalists and influencers from 14 countries are now preparing to put the SportSmart mk4 to the test in their own environments. Their experiences, results, and perspectives will contribute to authentic, rider-focused reviews that will showcase the tire’s true potential. This user-driven approach is a departure from traditional product launches and is designed to engage riders on a more personal level.

Curvemaster is not just another product launch, explains Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe: “It is a revolutionary shift in how journalist tire testing is conducted and experienced. We’re not following the old playbook—we’re rewriting it. Unlike traditional tire tests, which often take place on controlled tracks under predetermined conditions, Curvemaster gives journalists and popular content creators the power to choose the bike, select the conditions, and pick the road or track they want to test the tire on.

“We are so confident in the performance of the SportSmart mk4 that we’re giving testers complete freedom. No more constraints. You decide the variables, and we’ll see how it performs in real, authentic situations.”

Master the turns: The development behind SportSmart mk4

SportSmart mk4 was developed and manufactured fully in Dunlop’s motorcycle centre of excellence in Montlucon, France, where many of its racing tires are also produced. Relentless continuous development of every component in the tire has resulted in an all-round improvement over the predecessor, particularly in wet weather performance. 

Technology derived from Dunlop’s extensive experience in top level superbike and supersport racing includes Dynamic Front Formula on the front tire, which helps to obtain the perfect balance between reduced steering effort, grip, stability and feel for the right match between both tires, and Carcass Tension Control System, which tunes the casing tension and optimise the footprint to get the most out of the tread compound. As a result, SportSmart mk4 gives riders an easy turn-in, low-effort direction changes, excellent steering precision and neutral behaviour in corners. Rider comfort is improved for a more enjoyable and precise ride on bumpy or poorly maintained roads.

At launch, SportSmart mk4 is present in one front and five rear sizes, all 17-inch, to fit the most popular naked, crossover and sports bikes on the market.

For more information about SportSmart mk4 and to follow the latest developments, visit dunlop.eu and follow Dunlop on Instagram at @dunlopmoto and Facebook.

There is truly no other British motocross racer quite like Dean Wilson. He is one of the most proficient and celebrated British riders of recent times, and yet at the age of 33, he has never raced a full series professionally in his home country.

Instead, since turning professional in 2010 at just 19 years old, Wilson has made his name completely in the United States, having moved to Canada with his family at the age of seven, and subsequently coming up through the ranks on the other side of the Atlantic.  

Since then, the Scottish motocross veteran has had a MX career as impressive as it gets. Dunlop carried him to championship success in the 2011 AMA National American Motocross Championship and, in 2023, he turned his hand to supercross down under and won the Australian Supercross crown, a championship that is rapidly growing in profile and prestige.

Wilson has also competed seven times at the Motocross of Nations (MXoN), taken podiums in the Supercross World Championship (WSX), and competed in every season of the AMA Supercross Championship - across both the 250SX and 450SX classes - since 2010. Off the track, his spirited personality and charisma has made him a fan favourite rider.

But never has he had the opportunity to return to his mother country to compete in a full professional motocross series. That is, until now.

Wilson dominates the Arenacross British Championship

For the first time in his career, Wilson returned to the UK to race professionally in a full series and contest the 2025 Arenacross British Championship. Riding for the Armor Vision / St. Blazey MX team, the Dunlop-equipped rider took victory in all six main events of the tour on his way to claiming the championship at the final round in Manchester.

“Arenacross was a lot of fun," Wilson says. "I hadn’t raced in the UK since moving away in 1999, so it had been a long time. The series was awesome, and wrapping up the championship made it even better.

“It means a lot to win on home soil. I’d never won a British Championship before, so it was cool to check that off my list. The fans were incredible. It was great to race in front of them after spending most of my career in America."

Dunlop tires have been the choice of race winners and champions in UK Arenacross since the series’ inception in 2013. The 2025 season was no different, with Wilson leading a Dunlop-equipped championship top-three alongside Cedric Soubeyras (Bike It Kawasaki) and Adrien Escoffier (D.A.D APW Racing). 

Dunlop supplies a range of off-the-shelf tires from its Geomax motocross range to all its supported riders in the Arenacross British Championship. For those competing on the world stage in MXGP - the pinnacle of international motocross - as well as in the MX2 and WMX classes, Dunlop also offers development tires to support its motorsport-led development of customer tires. This ensures that top teams benefit from the latest and most innovative Dunlop technology. Last season both the MX2 and WMX titles were claimed on Dunlop tires, with Kay de Wolf (Nestaan Husqvarna) and Lotte van Drunen (De Baets Yamaha) securing victory in each class, respectively.

In the United States, Dunlop Geomax tires continue to be the top choice for most riders in AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross, having helped secure every title in both championships since 2010.

“I’ve been fortunate to run Dunlops for most of my career,” Wilson explains. “During Arenacross, I used the Dunlop Geomax MX34, and it was perfect for all track conditions. The dirt varied a lot from venue to venue - Aberdeen, for example, had very soft dirt - but the tires performed brilliantly. They provided great grip in corners and excellent traction on exits. It’s an amazing all-round tire.”

Geomax MX34 is designed for a wide range of soft, mud and intermediate surfaces, while its sand-focused MX14 counterpart provides traction on loose surfaces, and the harder MX53 offers further capability on hardpack.

“You need complete trust in your tires, especially when pushing hard,” Wilson continues. “You have to know how they react and how far you can push before they break away. 

“Understanding your tires helps you understand your limits as a rider. Learn how to read the soil. Always look at the track and figure out what tire will work best. The right tire can make a big difference, especially at the start of a race.”

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, echoes Wilson’s sentiments: “Trust in your tires is crucial in motocross, and Dean’s feedback confirms that our latest generation of Geomax tires provides the grip, consistency, and confidence needed to compete at the highest level. We congratulate Dean for his performance in the Arenacross British Championship. We’re extremely proud to have supported him with our Dunlop Geomax tires this year, and throughout his career.”

A grand tour in 2025

With a career that has already seen him race across the globe, Dean Wilson is now set for, in his own words, his “most ambitious season yet”. In 2025, he sets off on a self-described “world tour,” taking on a variety of international events that will see him compete across multiple continents and on some of the biggest stages in motocross and supercross.

His global schedule begins with the remainder of the AMA Supercross season in the United States, a campaign he expects will mark his final year in the prestigious series. From there, he will take on a range of international races, bringing his talent and experience to new audiences; including at the AX World Tour Finals in Abu Dhabi on July 5th, for which his Arenacross British Championship win earned him a qualifying place. 

“I’m getting later in my career, so I want to race around the world in different events,” Wilson explains. “This year, I’ve been able to put together an incredible programme with the support of Yarrive Konsky at Honda Australia. I’ll be riding for Quad Lock Honda in America (AMA Supercross), Factory Honda in Brazil (Brazillian Arenacross Championship), and staying with Honda Australia in the Australian Supercross Championship, after another great season together in 2024.”

Van Achter adds: “Dean’s continued success and motivation highlights the performance and reliability of our off-road products across varying track conditions. But now with the Arenacross British Championship wrapped up, Dunlop turns its attention to supporting top teams and riders for the remainder of the AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross series - where Dean will, of course, be competing - as well as those contesting and defending their championships in MXGP, MX2 and WMX.”

Racing at the three European EWC rounds this season - the 24 Heures Motos, 8 Hours of Spa Motos and Bol d’Or - the new category is pitched as an accessible and affordable entry to world-class motorcycle endurance racing. Teams will race 1000cc bikes that have only basic modifications compared to their roadgoing counterparts.

With accessibility in mind, official tire supplier Dunlop will provide every FIM Endurance World Trophy team with 10 sets of tires free of charge at the 24 hour races and 5 sets at the 8 hour race, amounting to a total of 25 sets over the course of the season for full-time entrants. This incentive will help limit costs for teams and cement the class’ position as an innovative entry-level step into the championship.

Tires available will come from Dunlop’s popular range of KR racing slicks which are used by teams in the Dunlop Superstock Trophy, too. Teams will have the choice of two KR109 front and two KR108 rear tire options each round, as well as wet tires in case the weather turns. 

Dunlop will continue to support Superstock teams - now racing as the ‘middle’ class in the EWC pyramid - with up to 330 sets of free tires throughout the season awarded based on performance and results at each race. In addition to Dunlop serving as the exclusive tire supplier to these two classes, many of the top independent teams racing for outright honours in Formula EWC have also chosen Dunlop.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe: “Working in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, we are pleased to announce this support package for every team that joins the new production-based class. The ethos behind this category is one of affordability and accessibility, so we are sure that teams each receiving 50 tires throughout the season will go a long way towards helping make this a fair and meritocratic entry level step to endurance racing on the world stage.”

Jean-Baptiste Ley, Motorsport Events Director, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports: “With affordability and accessibility at the heart of the FIM Endurance World Trophy, the support package we have developed in partnership with Dunlop will not only be hugely appreciated by the teams, it will be also hugely important as this new category becomes established as the starting point on the pathway to the top of the EWC Pyramid. It’s also another example of Dunlop’s unwavering commitment to the EWC and motorcycle racing in general, which we value enormously.”

The World Championship begins in Córdoba, Argentina on 2nd March. The 20-round season will visit 17 countries, underlining a packed schedule that will take the championship to destinations across Europe, Asia, South America, and a brand-new venue in Darwin, Australia, to round out the season on 21st September.

Dunlop continues to supply tires to a number of high-profile teams with strong race-winning potential in the MXGP, MX2 and Women’s Motocross (WMX) classes. As one of the few World Championships still featuring open tire competition, choosing the right tire brand is an important decision for each team or rider.

In the MXGP category, Dunlop continues its partnership with Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP for 2025. Former world champion Romain Febvre remains with the team for a sixth season, now joined by Pauls Jonass, a former MX2 world champion who makes the switch from Standing Construct Honda. Jonass brings with him experience of Dunlop’s setup, having secured his first overall GP victory last year in Portugal on Dunlop tires.

The factory Kawasaki team has enjoyed strong results and has secured 23 GP podiums, six overall GP victories, and 12 moto wins in the premier class in the last two seasons alone, equipped with Dunlop tires. Febvre has entered both of them as a championship contender, and once again will hope to challenge at the front this season.

Team Honda Motoblouz SR Motul also continues in MXGP for 2025, retaining Dunlop as its tire partner. The team fields Kevin Horgmo, who impressed in his rookie season last year, alongside Alberto Forato, who returns from injury and looks to make his mark once again in the top class.

Dunlop targets back-to-back MX2 titles

In MX2, the second tier of world championship motocross, Dunlop remains the tire of choice for defending champions Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing. The team fields a refreshed lineup with reigning MX2 World Champion Kay de Wolf spearheading the team’s effort, alongside new teammate Liam Everts.

In 2024 the Nestaan Husqvarna outfit dominated in the category, with de Wolf and former teammate Lucas Coenen securing 16 of 20 overall GP victories and underscoring Dunlop’s ability to inspire confidence across a wide range of terrains. Now with MX2 race-winner Everts joining and highly motivated to re-establish himself as a leading contender in the class, the team’s ambitions for the season ahead are further strengthened.

Monster Energy Triumph Racing also continues on Dunlop, with Camden McLellan and Guillem Farres leading its charge for the new season. Farres, who has previously competed in the North American AMA Pro Motocross and Supercross championships - for which Dunlop is also a leading tire supplier - will bring his Dunlop experience and expertise to Europe to contest his first full season in the 250cc class in 2025.

Building on its success with Dunlop in the top class, Kawasaki Racing Team has also launched a new factory effort in the MX2 category for the first time in two decades, featuring 2024 EMX250 champion Mathis Valin as its sole rider. 

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: "We’re happy to once again be supporting top riders competing in the MXGP, MX2 and WMX championships. We have spent the off-season ensuring we’re fully prepared for the upcoming season, so it’s rewarding to see our products trusted by so many new and existing top-level competitors.”

Van Drunen aims for second Women’s Motocross title

The FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship (WMX) season will get underway on 5th April in Sardinia, as Dunlop starts its campaign to win a 12th world title. Since 2012, Dunlop tires have taken 11 of the last 13 WMX victors to championship success.

Reigning champion Lotte van Drunen will compete for her second consecutive title, facing stiff competition from fellow Dunlop-equipped riders, including previous world champions Courtney Duncan and Kiara Fontanesi. The WMX season features six races in Sardinia, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Turkey, and Australia.

Just like in the top MXGP class and the MX2 category for rising stars, teams that choose Dunlop tires in WMX have access to a range of Dunlop Geomax motocross tires. 

This range includes the Geomax MX14, designed for motocross riders of all levels to perform on soft to intermediate surfaces, and the latest addition to Dunlop’s lineup, Geomax MX34, which has become the tire of choice for riders on a wide range of soft, mud and intermediate surfaces, and in variable weather conditions.

“The innovations that are proven on the finest motocross circuits in the world are passed down to our customers, meaning riders of all levels can experience the same technology as MXGP race winners,” added Van Achter. “We’re happy that many of the world’s top motocross riders have chosen Dunlop to support them in 2025, and wish each of them every success ahead of the opening round of the season.”

Dunlop heads into the 2025 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) season with a strengthened presence, trusted as the tire of choice for several leading teams on the Formula EWC grid.

A new strategic partnership between EWC frontrunner KM99 and the highly experienced Marc VDS Racing Team will headline Dunlop’s involvement in the top class of this season’s FIM Endurance World Championship. They are joined by two other leading independent teams, ERC BMW Endurance Team and Team LRP Poland, both of which are switching to Dunlop rubber to grip their 2025 campaigns.

Dunlop has supported KM99 throughout the Belgian team’s EWC career and now, for its third season, the Yamaha team counts on the support of Marc VDS plus strengthened relationships with both Dunlop and Yamaha. The result is an operation which aims to fight for overall wins this season against the factory teams. This goal isn’t too far out of reach: KM99 finished 2024 on a high with a second-place finish at the Bol d’Or.

Florian Marino, Randy de Puniet and Jeremy Guarnoni return as riders but will be joined by Alessandro Delbianco. The Yamaha expert is already familiar with the Dunlop KR racing slick tires through his time in the Dunlop Campionato Italiano Velocità, where he won three races in 2024.

Familiar faces, new partners

The news surrounding what will now be branded as ELF Marc VDS Racing Team/KM99 is just one of many exciting developments for Dunlop in EWC this year. Two new high-profile Formula EWC teams have made the switch to Dunlop for the 2025 season: ERC BMW Endurance Team and Team LRP Poland.

ERC BMW Endurance Team makes its return to the championship after a one-year break, now competing under BMW power and with Dunlop tires. The experienced lineup includes David Checa, Kenny Foray, Illya Mykhalchyk, and reserve rider Julian Puffe. With factory support from BMW Motorrad and guided by team manager Xavi Forés, ERC will be aiming for strong results with its championship-caliber squad. Both ERC and ELF Marc VDS Racing Team/KM99 have already kicked off their 2025 preparations with successful pre-season tests at Portimao, setting a strong foundation for their respective campaigns ahead.

Team LRP Poland also returns to the EWC grid with a formidable lineup comprising Isle of Man TT legend Michael Dunlop, Enzo Boulom, Danny Webb, and Marek Szkopek. Running the latest-specification BMW M 1000 RR on Dunlop tires, the team continues its collaboration with the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, with students playing key roles in the pit crew.

Long-term partners Maco Racing Team (Yamaha) and Mana-Au Competition (Honda) continue to choose Dunlop tires and support for their top-class efforts, meaning five Formula EWC teams in total will contest the 2025 season with Dunlop. The Dunlop-exclusive Superstock Trophy continues into the new season, and Dunlop also becomes the exclusive tire partner for the brand-new Production Trophy class, which features bikes that are even closer to their roadgoing counterparts.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, is excited for the season ahead: “We have lots of new partnerships to look forward to in EWC this season and we’re glad that new teams are trusting to choose Dunlop, which is a testament to the success and hard work of teams like KM99. For them, their new look for 2025 will surely build on an excellent first two seasons where they’ve often outperformed well-established factory teams.”

The 2025 Endurance World Championship (EWC) season kicks off on 19-20 April with the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans.

Dunlop and the FIM Endurance World Championship will expand their collaboration in 2025 with a multi-year partnership renewal that includes Dunlop becoming the exclusive tire supplier to the new FIM Production World Trophy class as well as continuing with the Dunlop Superstock Trophy.

As a result, Dunlop will provide its tires, expertise and support to every team in two of EWC’s three classes, as well as continuing to work with teams fighting for the overall victory in the Formula EWC category, which remains open tire competition.

Dunlop became the exclusive tire supplier to Superstock in 2022. Since then, the category has grown each year with lap times decreasing and the quality of racing constantly improving. Five teams entered this year’s season finale in contention for the title, underlining the sheer competitiveness of this class.

This has created space for a new category of bikes with fewer modifications, which is where the FIM Production World Trophy will sit. It will feature a field of 1000cc bikes that closely resemble their roadgoing counterparts but with only basic modifications, ensuring it remains accessible both in terms of cost and performance. As the exclusive tire supplier, Dunlop will share its expertise with every team in the new class, and they will all have access to the same range of Dunlop KR racing slicks as their counterparts in Superstock.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe: “We’re delighted to continue and expand our partnership with the FIM Endurance World Championship. Working with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports as one of the championship’s Official Partners, we’re excited to introduce the FIM Production World Trophy in order to allow more teams to compete in an accessible and rewarding environment and create an even more thrilling spectacle for fans with bigger grids and more action.”

Jean-Baptiste Ley, Motorsport Events Director, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports: “Having supplied the Superstock-based FIM Endurance World Cup on an exclusive basis since 2022 to a very high standard, we know we can count on Dunlop as a tried and tested partner. It was therefore an obvious step to expand our alliance with Dunlop for it to become the exclusive tyre supplier to the all-new FIM Production World Trophy, a very exciting addition to the EWC Pyramid from 2025. Furthermore, we are delighted to be extending our multi-year commercial partnership with Dunlop, which began in 2016 and has helped to strengthen the EWC year on year.”

The 2025 EWC season kicks off with the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans on 19-20 April, followed by the 8 Hours Spa Motos in June, Suzuka 8 Hours in August and Bol d’Or in September. The FIM Production World Trophy will compete at the three European rounds.

Bringing together the FIM’s six Continental Unions (CONUs) for the first time, the City of Jerez FIM Intercontinental Games was contested across Supersport (SSP) and Supersport 300 (SSP300) classes. Dunlop, as the Official Tire Partner of the games, equipped all 48 riders with a selection of its race-proven KR racing series tires, with riders racing Yamaha R7 and R3 bikes in the two respective classes.

The competition featured four different race winners across each of the four races, with an incredibly competitive field. Dunlop’s extensive racing expertise ensured that each team received race-proven products and comprehensive support throughout the event.

48 riders, four races, one crown

Each of the six Continental Unions participating in the games fielded two teams—one for each class—comprising four riders who competed in two races per class. 

Reflecting a commitment to diversity, the competition welcomed riders of all skill levels, adhering to regulations requiring each team to feature a world championship-experienced team captain, two riders from national series, and at least one female competitor.

Following Saturday's four qualifying sessions, FIM Europe and FIM Oceania were closely matched in SSP300, with each CONU having three riders in the top nine, filling the first three rows of the grid. Spanish 16-year-old Gonzalo Sanchez claimed pole position, followed by Australian teenagers Archie McDonald and Cameron Swain.

Aldi Mahendra, the reigning FIM Supersport 300 World Champion, and Argentinian racer Nahuel Santamaria went on to split the SSP300 wins, while Humberto Maier Neto and Elia Bartolini won the SSP races. 21-year-old Bartolini’s win in the rain- affected Supersport race two eventually helped Team Europe edge out Team Asia by just 13 points to claim the inaugural title.

Competing at the highest level in international motorsport provides Dunlop with valuable track time to conduct active research and development, testing the next generation of tires in an exceptionally challenging environment. This supports the development of the next generation of its hypersport ranges, also providing exclusive tire supply to EWC’s Superstock class and all classes of the Campionato Italiano Velocità.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “The FIM Intercontinental Games has proven to be a fantastic platform to showcase emerging motorsport talent. We are proud to have played a part in bringing together such a diverse and talented group of riders from around the world. Events like these provide Dunlop with invaluable opportunities to test and develop the next generation of our track and hypersport tyres, ensuring that we can continue to deliver race-proven products to our partners and customers for future. Congratulations to Team Europe for their hard-fought victory.”

Dunlop has been chosen as the Official Tire Partner for the first-ever FIM Intercontinental Games (ICG), set to take place at the Circuito de Jerez on November 30 and December 1, 2024. This new competition coincides with the FIM’s 120th anniversary and will see Dunlop supply tires from its renowned KR racing series to 48 competitors from 19 nations, representing the six continental teams.

The Games will unite all six FIM Continental Unions for the first time, offering a platform for young riders to compete on an international stage. The inaugural ICG will be dedicated to circuit racing, featuring two classes: Supersport and Supersport 300. Riders will race Dunlop-equipped Yamaha R7 and R3 bikes in each of the two classes, respectively.

Each Continental Union will field two teams—one for each class—consisting of four riders who will compete in two races per class. Every team must feature a team captain with world championship riding experience, two riders from national series, and at least one female competitor.

Dunlop will draw on its extensive racing expertise to ensure that each team receives race-proven products and comprehensive support throughout the event. Each team will benefit from a wide range of tires, including multiple variations of Dunlop’s renowned KR racing slick range.

Supporting riders of all abilities through Dunlop’s strong partnership with the FIM

In the Supersport class, FIM Europe’s team will be led by 21-year-old captain Elia Bartolini, who finished 12th in this year’s FIM Supersport 300 standings. Supporting him will be 25-year-old Enzo De La Vega, part of the third-placed 2024 Dunlop Superstock Endurance World Cup team, 28-year-old Roberta Ponziani from Italy, and 23-year-old German racer Valentin Folger.

In Supersport 300, FIM Europe’s team will be led by 17-year-old Alessandro Di Persio, third-place finisher in the 2024 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU FIM World Cup. He will be joined by the team’s youngest competitors, 16-year-olds Gonzalo Sanchez and Joy Bruno. Completing the lineup is 22-year-old Portuguese racer Tomas Alonso, a competitor in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship.

Other notable competitors that will race on Dunlop tires across the Continental Unions include current and former Moto2 racers Maxwell Toth (Team North America) and Kasma Daniel (Team Asia), and current FIM Women's World Cup contenders Isis Carreno (Team Latin America), Mallory Dobbs (North America), Tayla Relph (Oceana), Astrid Madrigal (Latin America), and Nicole Van Aswegen (Africa).

Competing at the highest level in international motorsport provides Dunlop with valuable track time to conduct active research and development, testing the next generation of tires in an exceptionally challenging environment. This supports the development of the next generation of its hypersport ranges, also providing exclusive tire supply to EWC’s Superstock class and all classes of the Campionato Italiano Velocità.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: "We're proud to be chosen as the Official Tire Partner for the inaugural FIM Intercontinental Games. This builds on our long-standing partnership with the FIM and the Dunlop brand's extensive experience in supporting riders competing at all levels. We look forward to supporting talented riders from around the world with our Dunlop tires in this truly international event, which is a perfect way to finish the racing season."

Fabio Muner, FIM Marketing and Digital Director, added: “The first-ever FIM Intercontinental Games will make history when it brings together all six of the FIM’s Continental Unions of Asia, North America, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Oceania for a weekend of racing as the FIM’s one-hundred-and-twentieth anniversary year draws to a close. With its ongoing commitment to motorsports and a rich and illustrious history that stretches back for over one-hundred-and-thirty years, Dunlop is the perfect choice as the event’s Official Tire Partner and on behalf of the FIM I would like to thank the company for its valued and continued support.”

Track action for the inaugural FIM Intercontinental Games gets underway at the Circuito de Jerez on Friday, 30 November. The event will be broadcast by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports Europe across their digital platforms, facilitated by circuit racing promoters Dorna.

Riders in the new one-make Honda supersport series will benefit from the same expertise and tires that Dunlop provides to all riders in CIV, racing on some of Italy’s top circuits. Dunlop will supply one front and two rear tire options from its KR range of racing slicks; the same tires trusted by riders in CIV and other top series like the FIM Endurance World Championship.

The series is aimed as a fair and accessible way of going racing with identical bikes and strict technical regulations to ensure rider skill comes to the fore. To ensure parity and close competition, all bikes will be delivered to riders in a race-ready specification with only a small number of modifications and setup changes permitted. 

A number of incentives are in place to support riders by lowering costs, which include each rider receiving their first set of Dunlop tires free of charge. The winner of each race will be awarded a free set of tires, while the second-place rider gets a rear tire and the third-place rider a front tire.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager Europe, Dunlop: “We’re excited to be part of the new Pro Honda CBR600RR Cup by Improve, which is a great addition after Dunlop became the exclusive tire supplier to CIV at the start of this season. The philosophy behind this series is admirable, and we’re pleased to offer incentives and support to help keep riders’ and teams’ costs down. The result will be thrilling one-make battles on some of Italy’s best race tracks.”

Alesandro Michelozzi, Manager, Firenze Motor / Improve (series promoter): “We are truly pleased to have a technical partner like Dunlop on our side, as they guarantee the high quality and performance that will characterise our trophy, and are essential for its success. I thank Aldo Ciccone for having shown interest and understanding of the importance of supporting an idea through which we hope to bring new talent in the national racing scene. We at Firenze Motor / Improve are delighted to be part of the organisation, and we are confident that we can deliver competitive and exciting races.”  

The exact calendar for the Pro Honda CBR600RR Cup by Improve is yet to be announced but the 2025 Dunlop CIV season gets underway on 5-6 April at Misano, where Dunlop begins its second year as the exclusive tire partner to all classes, including the Superbike and highly popular Supersport 600NG categories.

Team Australia, featuring star brothers Jett and Hunter Lawrence as well as Kyle Webster, secured a historic first Motocross of Nations win. Their consistent performance throughout the afternoon was led by a win in Race 2 for Jett Lawrence.

Team USA claimed second place in the final standings with its all-Dunlop team of Eli Tomac, Cooper Webb, and Aaron Plessinger, all of whom have enjoyed success this year in the American AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross series. Dunlop tires were also the choice of MX2 Champion Kay de Wolf, who competed for the third-placed Team Netherlands. This success means Dunlop-equipped riders claimed seven of the nine spots on the overall podium at the MXoN.

Full-season Kawasaki teammates Romain Febvre and Jeremy Seewer also enjoyed success for their nations on Dunlop. 2023 MXoN champion Febvre took a third place finish in the opening race which helped take him and his French team to fifth overall, while Seewer’s results were the highlight for ninth-placed Team Switzerland.

In the standings by category, Kay de Wolf (Team Netherlands) and Jett Lawrence each claimed the top spot in the MX2 and Open category classifications, respectively, whilst two-time AMA 450cc Supercross champion Eli Tomac placed second overall in the top MXGP class. In all three categories, Dunlop riders claimed three of the top five positions.

MXoN success adding to a record-breaking season for Dunlop

In the Motocross World Championship, including the Motocross of Nations, as well as the North American Supercross and Pro Motocross series, teams and riders that choose Dunlop have access to a range of Dunlop Geomax motocross tires. This range includes the sand-focused Geomax MX14, designed to provide traction on loose surfaces, and the latest addition to Dunlop’s lineup, the Geomax MX34 for soft to intermediate surfaces. Due to the changeable conditions at Matterley Basin this weekend, riders chose between the two.

Dunlop’s 2024 motocross season has been one of unprecedented success, marked by dominant performances in both Europe and North America. In the United States, Dunlop carried Team Australia’s Jett Lawrence to claim his maiden 450cc AMA Supercross title this year, extending Dunlop's impressive streak of winning all AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross titles since 2010.

In the FIM Motocross World Championship, Dunlop achieved its first-ever MX2 championship title this year, as Nestaan Husqvarna teammates Kay de Wolf and Lucas Coenen dominated the fiercely competitive series. Together, they claimed 16 of the 20 possible overall victories in the season and secured a 1-2 finish in the championship standings. In the WMX category, Dunlop rising star Lotte van Drunen secured her first world championship victory, making Dunlop the tire of choice for 11 of the last 13 WMX victors.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, commented: “A huge congratulations to Team Australia for their historic victory at this year’s Motocross of Nations. The competition was fierce throughout the weekend, with impressive racing from the Dunlop-equipped American, Australian and Dutch teams, among others. To see Australia claim its first win at this storied event is truly well deserved. We’re proud that riders representing top nations trusted Dunlop Geomax, and today’s results are a testament to the Geomax range’s exceptional performance on challenging terrains like the muddy conditions at Matterley Basin.”