World Superbike cuts Superstock 1000 class from 2019

FIM and World Superbike championship organisers Dorna have confirmed the European Superstock 1000 class will be cut from the series at the end of this year.

2018 will mark the 19^th and final season for the class as part of the World Superbike championship having produced 17 different champions with six different manufacturers taking a title.

In a statement released on the WorldSBK website, the reason behind the decision is ‘looking to the future will bring more value to national STK championships around Europe’.

As a result, the European Superstock 1000 will conclude this weekend at Magny-Cours with a title-decider between Markus Reiterberger who holds an 18-point lead over Roberto Tamburini, with Max Scheib one point further back in third place.

“We are very grateful to all participants in this class over the years, and after working with Dorna for so long, we know the development of the sport will not stand still,” Martin de Graaf, FIM Europe 1^st Deputy President, said. “In many countries the STK classes are important for Regional and National Championships, and this will continue.”

Daniel Carrera, WorldSBK Executive Director, says the series will focus on the Superbike, Supersport 600 and Supersport 300 championships, with the latter debuting in 2017.

“We want to thank all our teams and riders for their commitment and effort throughout the seasons,” Carrera said. “STK1000 has provided some sensational racing action over the years, but now are looking ahead to the future. We now want to focus on the promotion and expansion of our three main categories.”

Rumours have heightened this year around increasing the number of races per round in the three main classes, which will fill in the schedule hole set to be produced with the cancellation of the Superstock 1000 class, while the Donington Park and Portimao rounds had been set to run three Superbike races this year.