GP data
According to Brembo technicians who work closely with 12 of the 13 teams in the Superbike World Championship, the 4.445 km-long Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit falls into the category of circuits with low braking demands. On a scale from 1 to 5, it has been awarded a difficulty index of 1, the same as Assen. If races were always held on these two tracks, teams could use the same discs and pads for multiple rounds, as wear and operating temperatures remain limited. In Australia there are seven braking points per lap, but none of them falls into the High category.
The toughest corner at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the braking system is Turn 1, named after Mick Doohan, who made his mark in Superbike before becoming a 500cc legend. Superbikes slow from 314 km/h to 198 km/h under braking that lasts 3 seconds, during which they cover 211 metres. By pulling the brake lever with a load of 3.5 kg, riders experience a deceleration of 1.5 g, while brake pressure peaks at 7.4 bar.
The sole survivor
With Razgatlioglu moving to MotoGP and Rea retiring to become a Honda test rider, the only rider currently on track to have won the Superbike World Championship is Álvaro Bautista. The Spaniard ended Ducati’s title drought, which had lasted since 2011, delivering the championship in both 2022 and 2023 aboard the Panigale V4 R, surpassing 600 points on each occasion. Overall, Ducati has claimed 16 Riders’ titles and 21 Manufacturers’ titles in Superbike, always and exclusively using Brembo brakes.
Two rear brake master cylinder models
Álvaro Bautista is one of the two riders equipped with Brembo brakes this year to rely exclusively on the traditional rear brake, operated by pedal. Eight riders in the 2026 Superbike World Championship also use an index-finger master cylinder, while 10 use a thumb-operated master cylinder. The latter was developed in the 1990s to help Mick Doohan manage the rear brake, but today many riders use it as a sort of traction control: by activating it mid-corner, it helps stay close to the apex and straighten the bike more quickly.
The master cylinder for everyone
Born in the world of racing, the thumb master cylinder is also an Upgrade product, available to all enthusiasts who enjoy track riding or want to have fun on the road. Mounted on the left clip-on, the Brembo RMC thumb master cylinder delivers unprecedented precision, performance and control. The RMC thumb master cylinder is ideal in situations where the pedal cannot be operated due to extreme lean angles and is available with 11, 13 and 14 mm pistons.