CF Moto’s entry into SBK: The search is on – for the best of 1.4 billion Chinese

Kove is competing in the World Sportbike Championship, whilst ZX Moto and QJ Motor are making their mark in the World Supersport Championship. And in 2027, CF Moto will join them, becoming the first Chinese brand to enter the World Superbike Championship. The sporting side of things is being handled by the Spaniard Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez, whose team has enjoyed great success in the Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships for many years. Read the third and final part of SPEEDWEEK.com’s comprehensive exclusive interview.

Jorge, it came as a surprise when CF Moto was announced as the new supplier of the standardised bikes for the Women’s World Championship from 2027. That’s right , and I consider it a great success. The important thing is that CF Moto is growing and establishing itself. Entering the Superbike class is also a shrewd move. We know that it’s a big step from Superbike to MotoGP, but it’s a way to get involved in a project that can work for them from a commercial perspective as well.

Next year, a World Superbike event will take place in Shanghai for the first time. Was that an initiative by CF Moto? Motorcycling has reason to celebrate because a country like China has discovered this sport. Better late than never. When we were there 20 years ago, motorcycling was practically non-existent and there was no motorcycling culture. Fortunately, the world of motorcycling is now growing strongly, both commercially and on the roads. That’s good news for our sport. There are many Chinese brands establishing themselves, and CF Moto is the leading brand in China and one of those experiencing the strongest international growth. I’m delighted to be part of this development. You’re planning to train Chinese riders and to host a WSBK event in Shanghai. Hopefully, MotoGP will come along in the future too – that’s the right way forward.

The establishment of the school in China is also down to your initiative. Who is running it? For it to deliver results, there needs to be a team of instructors who are well prepared. Are these people from your own circle? We’ve already been there several times. I went there with my riders to give lessons, including David Alonso, Maximo Quiles, Daniel Holgado and Marco Morelli. Enzo, the son of Sergio Gadea – who is our rider in the European Championship – was there. We’ve sent our riders there to help the children, and in return they send Chinese riders to our school. I think it’s all very positive.

When these young Chinese talents come over, is the whole thing funded by CF Moto, or does a Chinese government body contribute as well? I’m not entirelysure . At the moment, CF Moto funds part of it, whilst the families pay for the rest. It’s a mix. The idea would be to set up a championship in China modelled somewhat on our own, to award scholarships to the best riders and bring them to Spain. If we can find the best among China’s 1.4 billion inhabitants, we’d be delighted. As I said before, we should welcome the fact that China is looking up to our world. Hopefully the same will happen in India and motor racing will be strengthened there too.

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Jorge Martinez

Foto: Gold & Goose

Jorge, in your organisation you cover all areas, and I almost always see the same people whom I’ve known for years. We’ve grown enormously – there are now 131 of us! We’re no longer just the same old faces. The structure has grown and continues to grow. We have a mechanics’ and riders’ academy. I’m bringing more people on board. However, I can tell you that I’m literally multiplying myself at the moment. I’ve come from Indonesia to Valencia, from Valencia to Jerez, and from there I’ve carried on to Australia.