The FIM Superbike Commission have announced a number of changes to the World Superbike series for 2017, which includes a new grid format for race two.

The formation of the grid for race two will now be decided following race results from Saturday. The Superpole results will continue to define starting positions for riders who finished in tenth position or lower, but the front of the grid will now be determined on race one results.

The front three rows will be affected in the following way:

· Top three riders move back to row three and see 1^st and 3^rd reverse their positions.

· Riders who finished in 4^th, 5^th and 6^th will be promoted to the front row.

· Riders who finished in 7^th, 8^th and 9^th will start from the second row.

The Superbike Commission composed of Messrs Gregorio Lavilla (WSBK Sporting Department Director), Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA Representative), Rezsö Bulcsu (FIM CCR Director) in the presence of Messrs Daniel Carrera (Dorna), Paul Duparc, Charles Hennekam and Scott Smart (FIM) held a meeting in Madrid last week.

Also now in each class, two wild cards will be allocated for each event and the deadline for presenting the wild card candidature will be extended to 90 days for an overseas event.

A new and updated time schedule across the weekend is to be defined which means there will be changes to how the World Superbike race weekend is played out, especially with the introduction of the World Supersport 300 series.

There is to be ban of the use of scooters in order to aid track familiarization in the build up to or over a race weekend. Walking or the use of push bikes will be permitted, as seen in MotoGP.

On a similar note there is set to be a prevention of machines at the back of the grid for race formation which is again mirroring the regulations of MotoGP.

FIM Supersport World Championship (600 class) will welcome an introduction of flag to flag races, meaning we will see Supersport motorcycles change tyres during a race when conditions change.

Various technical changes are to be implemented too for next season including:

Airbox regulations have been updated meaning sensors will now be allowed to change. Additionally parts of the Variable intake tract system may now be replaced for added strength, whilst retaining exactly the same functionality as the respective street bike.