From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

NEW TYRE RULES BROUGHT INTO FORCE

New World Supersport championship tyre regulations were introduced today at Valencia, Spain with each rider allowed a maximum of 13 rear tyres in each of this year’s 11 rounds.

The new ruling means riders must decide how many of their allocation of soft compound rear tyres for qualifying are used on Friday or how many are saved for Saturday.

Ronald Ten Kate, team manager of the Pirelli-shod Ten Kate Honda team said: “It’s the same rule for everyone so from that side it’s OK. It’s aimed at cost reduction which is always a good thing.

“But it has taken away that little bit of research and development the tyre manufacturers did at the events, that will now have to take place at private test sessions.”

Eddie Roberts of Pirelli commented: “It’s not a major issue and if there’s any spots of rain then it will all be insignificant anyway as there’s no tyre restrictions for wet conditions. It’s certainly stopped any rider going crazy and using four or five soft compound race tyres in the dying stages of qualifying.”

Klaffi Honda team rider Robert Ulm commented: “The new rule means we have to think out the day a little bit more, two rear tyres in the morning and four in the afternoon.”

Steve Whitelock of the sport’s governing body, the FIM, commented: “We’re aiming to reduce the cost a little but also hoping to ensure Supersport remains as competitive as it has always been.”