Image: Andrew Gosling.

Pirelli is entering the 2014 Australian Superbike Championship with an enthusiastic approach after securing the rights as Official Tyre Supplier.

The Italian brand, distributed in Australia by Link International, will feature as the control tyre in every category of this year’s ASBK series (click here for details).

Following a triumphant return with Next Gen Motorsports and Glenn Allerton (pictured) last year, winning the season-opener at Symmons Plains and going on to finish second in the championship, Pirelli will put that knowledge to use this season.

“We are enthusiastic about the upcoming 2014 season and our alignment with the Australian Superbike Championship as Official Tyre Supplier with Pirelli,” explained Don Nicholas, Pirelli Moto product manager, Link International.

“Pirelli is passionate about racing and has built an enormous reputation providing world class racing tyres to domestic road racing championships around the world, in conjunction with their ongoing role as Official Tyre of the FIM Superbike World Championship.

“We look forward to working closely with Motorcycling Australia and IEG to bring this worldwide experience to Australia and to offer Australian road racers the opportunity to enjoy this world class level of performance and support when they race in the Australian Superbike Championship in 2014.

“We hope our contingency program also adds value for Privateer riders as they compete in the ASBK series throughout the year.”

With WSBK mobing to 17-inch tyres last season, the ASBK will hold close ties with the series, utilising some of the exact same tyre solutions used at rounds of WSBK in 2013.

Pirelli will provide two compound choices front and rear in Superbike, Supersport 600 and Evo Unlimited classes, to provide riders and teams with optimum choice. The Superlites and Production classes will also run on Pirelli tyres for the upcoming season.

In addition Link and Pirelli are providing more than $30,000 in various contingencies across the ASBK classes.