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SBK, Brand new format: less practices and an extra race in 2019

The reigning class is changing: three free practice sessions next season and only one qualifying, a ten-lap "Sprint" race on Sunday

SBK: Brand new format: less practices and an extra race in 2019

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The 2019 World Superbike season will come with a new look. On the one hand, the championship loses its Stock1000 category, but on the other hand it gains an additional Superbike race, in the form of a ten-lap sprint.

First things first though, in line with the organiser's communication, released folowing a meeting between Dorna and the FIM. Next season, the Superbikes will lose one practice session, returning to the three-session format. So with two SBK sessions on Friday, as it was up until 2017, and two sessions also for SSP and SSP300.

Saturday brings the most changes, in that Superpole will consist of just one single qualifying session for all classes. The final results will establish the starting grid for WorldSBK Race 1 and Sunday's Sprint Race, which will be called the Tissot Superpole Race.

As for Supersport300, riders who do not qualify for race one will have a "last chance" race following on from the qualifying session. The first six will occupy the last six spots on the starting grid.

Sunday will consist of a total of four races. The first is the SBK Sprint, comprising 10 laps (all season long). Points will be assigned as follows: 12-9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. There will be no changes to Race 1 and Race 2, the system remaining unchanged from 2018. 

As for Race 2, the starting grid will be formed of the top nine finishers in the Tissot Superpole Race and, from tenth down, in the order riders finished in the Tissot Superpole.

Translated by Heather Watson
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