Pirelli to Continue to Be Sole Supplier to FIM Superbike World Championship Until 2026

Pirelli to Continue to Be Sole Supplier to FIM Superbike World Championship Until 2026

Pirelli will continue to be the sole official tyre supplier for all classes of the FIM Superbike World Championship up to and including the 2026 season. 

With the current agreement expiring at the end of 2023, Dorna WorldSBK Organization, in agreement with the FIM, the International Motorcycling Federation, proposed to Pirelli, which accepted, a new three-year agreement for the period 2024-2026.

Thus continues a unique collaboration, in terms of longevity, within the international motorsport panorama, which this year celebrates 20 years. Moreover, it remains a demonstration of the solid relationship that Pirelli has established with Dorna, the FIM, the teams and the riders, thanks to the constantly improving quality, reliability and performance of its tyres.

Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director for DWO, “Pirelli has proved time and again to be a perfect match for WorldSBK as our sole Official Tyre Supplier. Not only does our partnership ensure a great level of quality and performance to our teams and riders throughout the season on a wide variety of venues, but they also completely embraced the values and philosophy of the Championship by bringing to the race track the products they offer to motorcyclists. WorldSBK has evolved through numerous eras and phases since we started to work with Pirelli, and the fact that we’ve been building on this mutually beneficial collaboration over the past 20 years is unprecedented. So, it’s with great enthusiasm that we’re looking towards the future of WorldSBK and Pirelli together as the Championship evolves and new challenges arise.”

Aldo Nicotera, Senior Vice-President and Head of Moto and Cycling Pirelli, “This year we are celebrating an important milestone: in fact, it has been 20 years that we have been alongside the FIM Superbike World Championship as Sole Supplier for all classes. A road, begun in 2004, which represented the first example of a single-tyre formula in the history of top motorsport competitions and which, years later, has proven to be a winning choice, later followed by other championships. Motorsport has historically been an integral part of Pirelli’s DNA, and this renewal is in line with our corporate strategy, which sees World Superbike as a key platform for developing our motorcycle tyres, starting with racing and super sports tyres. We are happy to continue this adventure alongside Dorna, the teams and riders until 2026 whilst continuing to offer motorcyclists from all over the world tyres that contain the best Superbike-derived technology.

 

Hankook Tire Europe Appoints Richard Bezzant As Truck And Bus Marketing Director

Hankook Tire Europe Appoints Richard Bezzant As Truck And Bus Marketing Director

Hankook Tire Europe GmbH has appointed Richard Bezzant as the new Marketing Director Truck and Bus with effect from 1 August 2025.

The British-born marketing and sales expert started his career with Michelin in UK in 2003. He brings with him more than two decades of experience in the tyre business for buses and trucks. Following a five-year period in leadership roles in France, he most recently served as Marketing Director for UK and Ireland, where he was responsible for developing and managing the complete marketing strategy across all business divisions.

Bezzant said, “My goal is to support growth opportunities for Hankook in the European truck and bus sector and expand them further. I am confident that we will be able to build on what has been achieved so far and continue to expand the business with innovative products and services. I am glad to be working with a great team to pursue our goals.”

Jang Hyuk Moon, Vice President – Marketing Department, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “With Richard Bezzant, we have appointed an industry-leading expert for our truck and bus marketing activities. With his decades of experience, we will consistently expand our business in the commercial vehicle sector and strengthen our market position in Europe in the long term.”

Apollo Tyres Appoints Denis Virelli As Key Account Manager For Car Dealership division

Apollo Tyres Appoints Denis Virelli As Key Account Manager For Car Dealership division

Apollo Tyres Ltd has strengthened its German operations with the immediate appointment of Denis Virelli as Key Account Manager. In this role, he will oversee the Car Dealer Channel and OEM business. This strategic move highlights the company's focused investment in Germany, identifying car dealerships as a pivotal area for regional growth.

Virelli brings extensive relevant experience from the automotive sector, including a background in tyre sales and a proven track record in senior positions within the car rental industry. His expertise encompasses sales, quality management and leadership of customer service teams. His appointment is a direct reflection of Apollo Tyres' commitment to deepening its partnerships and driving expansion within the important German market.

Alexandra Matuko, Head of Cluster Central Europe at Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “As Key Account Manager, Denis will play a key role in shaping and further developing our dealership business. His proven track record in sales and his deep understanding of customer needs make him a valuable addition to our team.”

Anshuman Singhania Honoured As CEO of the Year At National Management Summit

Anshuman Singhania - JK Tyre

Anshuman Singhania, Managing Director of JK Tyre & Industries, has been awarded the 'CEO of the Year' by the Top Rankers Management Club. The accolade was presented at the 25th National Management Summit, held in New Delhi on 23 August 2025.

The award recognises Singhania’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision, which have been pivotal in steering the company toward sustained growth and innovation. Under his guidance, JK Tyre has reinforced its position as a leader in radial tyre technology, expanded its global presence and strengthened its dedication to sustainability and customer focus.

In his acceptance speech, Singhania expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am honoured to receive this recognition from the Top Rankers Management Club. This award reflects the collective commitment of the entire JK Tyre team, whose efforts continue to drive our progress. I would like to thank my colleagues, industry partners and stakeholders for their unwavering support in our journey of growth and transformation.”

He has been a key figure in modernising the company, leveraging new technologies and expanding its presence in both domestic and international markets. The 'CEO of the Year' award, presented by the Top Rankers Management Club, celebrates leaders who demonstrate a clear vision for organisational excellence and industry transformation.

Hana RFID Appoints Jason Chang As New Asia Sales Director

Hana RFID Appoints Jason Chang As New Asia Sales Director

Hana Technologies, Inc. (Hana RFID) has strengthened its leadership in the Asian market with the appointment of industry veteran Jason Chang as Sales Director for Asia. Based in Shanghai, he will be responsible for managing key customer relationships and driving strategic growth throughout the region.

Chang brings a wealth of relevant experience to the role, with over 15 years in the RFID sector following a successful career in IT. His proven track record includes significant tenures at leading firms like Xerafy, Stora Enso and Beontag. His accomplishments range from pioneering the development of innovative flexible anti-metal tags to launching groundbreaking RFID-based retail solutions that gained widespread adoption in China and Europe. He has also demonstrated a strong capacity for growth, most recently achieving remarkable business expansion in the APAC market.

This appointment is a strategic milestone for Hana RFID, underscoring its commitment to supporting global customers with high-performance technology and expert, on-the-ground leadership. This move highlights Hana RFID's focused strategy on deepening its regional support and providing partners with sophisticated RAIN RFID inlay and embeddable tag solutions, backed by local expertise.

Mike Hetric, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Hana RFID, said, “The appointment of Jason Chang is a significant step forward in improving local availability and supporting our key partners in Asia. Jason’s track record in driving innovation, his deep market knowledge and his commitment to customer success will be invaluable as we expand our footprint in this dynamic region.”

Chang said, “I’m excited to be part of the Hana RFID team, which is recognised in the market as both a key player and a trusted partner for an ever-growing network of label converters, service bureaus and system integrators. I look forward to working alongside our partners in Asia to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional service.”