World Superbike Championship in China: Did FIM President Viegas lay the final groundwork?

It’s official: the Superbike World Championship is set to expand into China. Whilst the date and venue have not yet been confirmed, there are strong indications that the series will make its debut next year at the Shanghai International Circuit. A visit by FIM President Jorge Viegas to China last week fits perfectly into this picture.

The Portuguese official met with the management of CF Moto in Hangzhou. The Chinese manufacturer recently opened a massive factory with a production capacity of 3.5 million vehicles a year, and a racetrack is being planned in the immediate vicinity of the plant.

Viegas was also briefed on CF Moto’s plans for its racing activities – in particular, the development of a motorbike for use in the World Superbike Championship. There is speculation that CF Moto could make its first wildcard appearances in 2027.  “I am very impressed by the industrial and sporting progress in China,” said Viegas.

Following Kove (sportbike), QJ Motor and ZX Moto (supersport), this would mean four Chinese motorbike manufacturers would be competing in the production-based world championship, with at least one in each category.

With regard to the MXGP Motocross World Championship, the FIM already has contacts with the Ministry of Sport and the Shanghai Juss Sports & Entertainment Group (Juss Sports for short). Following the race weekend – which saw the Dutchman Jeffrey Herlings (Honda) triumph – Viegas met with Juss President Patrick Yang – reportedly a purely courtesy visit.

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When it comes to top-level international sport in China, this company is a key player. As well as the MXGP, Juss Sports organises Formula 1, as well as tennis and equestrian events. Through its subsidiaries, Juss Sports also owns various sports venues – it holds a 92 per cent stake in the Shanghai International Circuit.

It has already been confirmed that Juss Sports will also act as the local organiser of the Superbike World Championship in China.