Chinese brand CF Moto knows: MotoGP would come too soon – here’s what’s planned instead

In an exclusive interview with SPEEDWEEK.com, team owner Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez spoke openly about the future plans of CF Moto; the Chinese manufacturer has partnered with the Spanish team until the end of 2031. As Moto2 uses Triumph engines and, from 2028, Moto3 will use Yamaha standardised engines, the only remaining opportunity for CF Moto to make its mark in Grand Prix racing is the top class, MotoGP. Insiders are convinced: it is no longer a question of whether CF Moto will enter MotoGP, but simply when.

As reported on SPEEDWEEK.com last February, CF Moto acquired a majority stake in the German chassis manufacturer Kalex at the start of the year, thereby gaining a wealth of expertise in vehicle construction.

As it is not possible to set up an in-house programme in MotoGP at short notice – and three to five years’ preparation time is a realistic estimate – CF Moto has also been discussing entry into the production-based Superbike World Championships (SBK) for several years now, with a view to gaining experience.

ZX Moto steals the show from CF in China

Since this year, CF Moto has had a motorbike for the entry-level Sportbike category, but has been unable to find a team for the World Championship. That is why we only see Kove’s compatriots competing there. And in the mid-capacity Supersport class, both ZX Moto and QJ Motor are represented, with the former delivering outstanding performances and already securing six race wins this season.

This goes down well with the numerous fans in China, as the ZX Moto is a machine designed and built in China, whereas in Moto3 and Moto2 there are only CF Moto stickers on the bikes and the technology comes from elsewhere.

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In mid-June, officials from CF Moto, together with team principal Martinez, attended the SBK event at Misano; in mid-July, a Chinese delegation visited Donington Park and held talks with senior Liberty staff.

“The priorities have been set,” confirmed Martinez. “Our partner CF Moto is very keen to move towards the Superbike World Championship and then on to MotoGP. It is a unique event in history for a major manufacturer from China to make such investments. Investments that cover all key areas: talent development, support for teams, infrastructure and technology.”

CF Moto will als erster chinesischer Hersteller in die Superbike-WM

Foto: cfmoto

Aspar has no experience in the SBK paddock

Although the Aspar team has been in the MotoGP paddock for decades, it has no experience whatsoever in the SBK paddock. Rather than building its own structure from scratch, it would make sense to partner with an existing top team, as ZX Moto has done with Evan Bros or QJ Motor with Puccetti in the Supersport World Championship.

CF Moto originally wanted to have the 675 SR-R homologated for the Supersport World Championship, but the bike does not have the right power-to-weight ratio and was therefore classified as a sports bike by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM). This means the bike is not suitable as a stepping stone to the Superbike World Championship.

Meanwhile, development of the V4 SR-RR superbike is in full swing: CF Moto remains committed to its goal of becoming the first Chinese brand to compete in the top category of the production-based World Championship. As the electronics in particular are taking up a great deal of time, full participation in the World Championship is not expected before 2028. It is not even yet clear which partner CF Moto will be working with. Whilst BMW has developed its own electronic control unit (ECU) for the Superbike World Championship in collaboration with Bosch, all other manufacturers rely on Magneti Marelli.

World Championship teams will be queuing up at CF Moto

There are indications that we could see the V4 SR-RR on the starting grid for the first time at a World Championship event as early as after the 2027 summer break. Promoter Liberty has signalled to CF Moto that this would be possible, provided there is a commitment to participate in the championship by then.

Modena 40, CF Moto’s European research and development centre, is responsible for the design of the V4 SR-RR. It is based in Rimini and was founded in 2016 by Carles Solsona, a former motocross rider, Ducati employee and, as he describes himself, an ‘innovation fanatic’. The Catalan oversees the development of new products and strategies for CF Moto and works in close coordination with the head office in Hangzhou.

With the Aspar team in Spain and M40 in Italy, CF Moto already has two strong pillars in European motorsport with excellent contacts; all that is missing now is a logistics partner for the Superbike World Championship. Top teams without a fixed manufacturer partnership, such as Go Eleven or Andrea Quadranti’s Swiss Supersport squad AS Racing, would be ideal candidates for this role.