MCE British Superbike teams are allowed to use an auto-blip gearchange for the 2017 season now that Honda and Suzuki have changed over to ride-by-wire throttle systems.

The functionality, which automatically blips an engine’s throttle to match individual downchanges, was already in the spec Motec software’s functionality but until the whole field had the technology to use it, it was outside of the regulations.

The software will not allow bulk downchanges - sixth to second in one hit - but means the rider no longer has to use the clutch which means the throttle opening will remain constant on corner entry which, in turn, makes engine braking strategies easier to implement.

“The system uses the load cell sensor on the gearchange - which is usually used to change up - which measures how hard the rider is pressing on the gear lever. It electronic opens the throttle bodies as you would if you were twisting the grip,” said Moto Rapido Ducati boss Steve Moore, speaking to bikesportnews.com at Cartagena.

“We can determine how fast it opens them, to what point it opens them and how fast it closes them again. All that does is take all the tension off the gearbox to allow a gearchange to happen. If we get it right, as the rider lifts his foot, the sensor measures pressure on the lever at the right amount of force for the ‘box to want to change, removes the torque from the gearbox, the change happens and once he ECU detects that has happen, it returns the torque to the gearbox.

“Bascially, it means you don’t have to use the clutch apart from pulling out of pitlane and on the startline. It also helps a lot with the engine braking strategy as it can change down the gearbox quicker than the rider can.

“It is also more consistent as if you want it to blip the throttle bodies open to 10 degrees, it will do that every time, whereas a rider will vary maybe between eight and 25. It won’t work corner-by-corner as that is not allowed, but it works by gear position and rpm so similar corners work in the same way.”