World Superbike bosses have today announced another set of regulation changes for the 2014 season, the biggest of which is the series will alter its practice and qualifying schedule to mirror that of MotoGP.

Although no firm details were released, it is thought that Superbikes will have three free practice sessions, and the top ten rider from that will go through to a 15-minute second qualifying session, while a fourth short free practice will take place before qualifying one, which sorts out the rest of the grid and from which to the fastest riders will progress to qualifying two. It sees the end of the three-tier Superpole format.

Another new regulation will be the adoption of the quick start prodecure, as seen in British Superbikes, so there will be no half-hour gaps if the race has to be stopped.

On top, the Sunday race timing schedule for Superbike, Supersport, and Superstock 1000cc Cup will be compacted into a programme of events running from 10.30 am to 14.30, while there will also be licence penalty points that will last for a period of one year.