Pirelli, the championship one-make tyre supplier, hereby give their analysis of tyre selection at the seventh round of the 2011 Superbike World Championship at the Motorland Aragon circuit.

Giorgio Barbier, Racing Director Pirelli Moto, declared: "Racing at a new track like Motorland Aragón with the longest straight of the championship (1.212 km), elevation changes and truly extreme braking points is very exciting and challenging for a tyre supplier. To guarantee fast racing and longevity of performance, Pirelli furnished a total of 4300 tyres consisting of 3 front and 4 rear solutions for WSBK and 3 front and 3 rears for SSP. WSBK tyre options included the standard mid-soft (SC1), and a new-for-2011 mid-soft (SC1) rear tyre both presented at and winning Race 2 of last week's San Marino round. Additionally, Pirelli's medium (SC2) from World Endurance and SC3 rear tyres were present in case of an over abrasive track. Front WSBK tyres included the standard SC1 and development soft (SC1) along with a mid-soft (SC2) front."

"At this first-ever Alcaniz round, most riders opted for the standard mid-soft "B" rear tyre for Race 1, with the exception of Biaggi (Aprilia) and Melandri (Yamaha) who chose the development "A", or SC1 tyre, as well as Checa (Ducati) who opted for the harder SC2 rear tyre and set a Pirelli Best Lap of 1'58.862 before crashing out. Biaggi (Aprilia) demonstrated confidence in the new mid-soft, having registered lap times in the 1'57s during the Superpole. Nine riders switched to the new mid-soft rear for Race 2 with an asphalt temperature peaking to 53°C; Fabrizio (Suzuki) benefitting strongly from this change with a jump from 11th to 4th position, and both Melandri (Yamaha) and Biaggi (Aprilia) who lapped consistently in the 1'59s throughout the middle part of the race."

"Supersport riders were also content with the mid-soft SC1 front and rear tyres, as it was the choice of all three manufacturers on the podium: Davies (Yamaha), Lowes (Honda) and Salom (Kawasaki); the Diablo Supercorsa tyres helping Lowes to earn his second Pirelli Best Lap and Salom to obtain his first podium. Interesting note also from the STK1000, where the gap between Giugliano's (Ducati) fastest lap of 2'01.589 and his slowest (10°) was just 0.66 seconds, demonstrating real consistency of the Diablo Supercorsa SC2 in such hot conditions. We look forward to our return to Aragon for a continuation of this excellent tyre development."

Pirelli BEST LAP Awards:

SBK Race 1 - Carlos Checa (Althea Racing), 1'58.862 (Lap 7)
SBK Race 2 - Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike), 1'59.159 (Lap 3) (photo)
Total BEST LAP (SBK): Checa C. (Althea Racing): 5, Biaggi M. (Aprilia Alitalia Racing): 4, Haga N. (PATA Racing Team Aprilia): 1, Sykes T. (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike): 1, Camier L. (Aprilia Alitalia Racing): 1, Fabrizio M. (Team Suzuki Alstare): 1, Melandri M (Yamaha World Superbike): 1

WSS - Sam Lowes (Parkalgar Honda), 2'02.785 (Lap 6)
Total BEST LAP (WSS): Foret F. (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda): 2, Lowes S. (Parkalgar Honda): 2, Scassa L. (Yamaha ParkinGO Team): 1, Davies C. (Yamaha ParkinGO Team): 1

STK1000 - Niccolò Canepa (Lazio MotorSport), 2'01.565 (Lap 2)

STK600 - Jed Metcher (MTM-RT Motorsports Team), 2'05.91 (Lap 2)