Source: Supplied.

The Moto2 and Moto3 world championships will continue racing on Dunlop tyres until at least the end of the 2020 season, with a new contract extension securing the future of this long-standing partnership for at least another three years.

This announcement continues Dunlop’s proud history in world championship motorcycle racing that began in 1949, when Les Graham rode Dunlop tyres to glory in the first 500 championship for motorcycles.

“We are proud to continue our long and successful relationship with Dorna in Moto2 and Moto3,” commented Xavier Fraipont, managing director of Dunlop Motorcycle and Motorsport EMEA. “We are constantly pushing forward and bringing new technologies to the sport.

“Indeed, we introduced a brand-new specification of Moto2 tyre at Valencia for the final round of the 2017 season and this was chosen by the race winner Miguel Oliveira. Top-level motorcycle racing allows us to test and develop new constructions and compounds. We then apply the learnings to our award winning tyres such as the Dunlop SportSmart MAX and the new SportSmart TT.”

Moto2 was launched in 2010 and Moto3 in 2012, replacing the outgoing 250 and 125 classes respectively. Dunlop have been the exclusive tyre partner from the beginning of both championships, after also having proven the most successful tyre company in the 250 and 125 categories – including claiming 17 250 world championships before the category was replaced by Moto2.

As well as this new three-year agreement to continue as official tyre supplier to Moto2 and Moto3, Dunlop will also continue to promote the unique ‘Forever Forward Award’, which rewards the rider who has made the most overtakes during a season across both categories. In 2017, the winner was Moto3’s Italian GP winner Andrea Migno, who gained a record-breaking 137 positions over 18 GPs.