Source: Supplied.

Changes to the grid format will be introduced for the 2017 FIM Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) in order to create greater excitement around the production-based series.

Superpole results will continue to define the starting positions for Saturday’s race one, but changes will be made for race two on Sunday.

Riders who finished in 10th position or lower during race one, however the front three rows of the grid will now be determined on Saturday’s race one results.

The top three riders move back to row three, where first and third reverse their positions. Riders who finish in fourth, fifth and sixth will now be promoted to the front row, while riders who finish in seventh, eighth and ninth will start from the second row.

The grid procedure for Saturday’s opening race will remain unchanged from the regular format in the new year. The adjustments are the first of their kind in WorldSBK, which will be implemented for the first time at Phillip Island’s season-opener on 24-26 February.