A new era begins for motorcycle racing’s most successful talent programme
The Road to MotoGP™ is turning a new page. Long recognized as one of the most comprehensive talent development systems in world sport, the programme that discovers, trains, and promotes young riders across the globe has unveiled a fresh identity and a more clearly defined structure — setting out an even clearer path to the top for the next generation of stars.
Since its creation, the Road to MotoGP™ has stood alone in the sporting world — a programme that doesn’t just find talent but actively creates opportunity. Whether riders come from major racing nations or emerging markets, it provides a transparent ladder to success, ensuring every young hopeful can dream of reaching Grand Prix racing.
Now, that ladder has been redesigned. The new structure connects every tier — from MotoMini to Moto4 to MotoJunior — under a single, unified framework. Each stage builds upon the last, forming a global ecosystem that makes the route to MotoGP™ more consistent, inclusive, and internationally accessible than ever before.
The Beginning: FIM MotoMini World Series
The journey starts at the grassroots level with the FIM MotoMini World Series, the first initiative in motorsport specifically created to ensure equal opportunity from the very beginning.
The series includes two categories — the 160cc class for riders aged 10 to 14, and the 190cc class for those aged 12 and above — both raced on kart circuits around the world.
National champions from each series earn invitations to the World Final in Valencia, held ahead of the MotoGP™ season finale. There, they compete for glory and, perhaps more importantly, for advancement — with the best performers moving further up the Road to MotoGP™.
[Note: Here I expanded the intro to MotoMini slightly to emphasize inclusivity and make the flow more story-like rather than list-like.]
Building Experience: The Moto4 Tier
Next comes the Moto4 level — a crucial stepping stone for riders aged 14 and older. This stage introduces competition on larger, professional-grade circuits, with all riders competing on identical Honda NSF250R machinery to ensure skill, not equipment, defines success.
Currently, the Moto4 tier includes a growing list of international championships:
- Momoven Moto4 European Cup
- Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup
- Moto4 Northern Cup
- R&G Moto4 British Cup
- Moto4 Latin Cup
Each of these championships acts as a regional gateway, offering different routes up the same ladder. Together, they create a global network of opportunities — from Europe and Asia to the Americas — that gives young riders real-world experience on the road to professional racing.
[Note: Slightly elaborated on each cup’s role to keep narrative length and emphasize “global reach,” which appeals to an international audience.]
The Final Steps: MotoJunior and the Rookies
For those who excel at Moto4, the next levels of competition form the final ascent toward MotoGP™.
The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup remains one of the most famous and competitive steps on the ladder. Open to riders aged 15 and up, it continues to race alongside the MotoGP™ paddock at premier European circuits, offering invaluable exposure and experience under the spotlight of the world’s biggest stage.
Beyond that lies the newly structured MotoJunior World Championship, which includes:
- The FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship, for riders from 16 years old, now serving as the flagship class of MotoJunior.
- The Moto2 European Championship, a direct pathway to the Moto2™ World Championship.
- The Moto4 European Cup, forming the base layer of MotoJunior and linking the earlier steps into one consistent pyramid.
This unified framework ensures that every rider — from Mini to Junior — competes within a single, connected system that mirrors the professional structure of Grand Prix racing.
A Global Vision for the Future
The 2025 FIM MotoMini World Series World Final will be the first event to showcase this new identity, debuting in Valencia ahead of the MotoGP™ finale.
From 2026, the entire Road to MotoGP™ will transition to this restructured format, introducing additional incentives for teams to support emerging talent — particularly riders from developing racing nations.
These incentives will include financial and logistical support for teams fielding and nurturing riders from outside the sport’s traditional strongholds, ensuring that the next generation of MotoGP™ stars truly represents the global fanbase watching from every corner of the world.
Voices from the Top
Jorge Viegas, President of the FIM, underlined the importance of the overhaul:
“The FIM remains committed to identifying, supporting, and providing clearly defined opportunities for emerging and talented riders from every corner of the world. The new Road to MotoGP™ structure marks a significant step forward in that mission. Our goal is equality of opportunity — ensuring that no matter where a rider is born, their dream of reaching MotoGP™ can be realized. With this new system, we’re confident we’ll see new champions from new countries making their mark at the very top.”
Carlos Ezpeleta, MotoGP™ Chief Sporting Officer, echoed that vision:
“We’re incredibly proud of the Road to MotoGP™. It’s been the foundation of our sport’s growth, and this evolution takes that commitment to the next level. The new structure makes the path clearer — not only for riders but also for families, teams, and fans — and aligns perfectly with the future direction of the Grand Prix classes. It’s a strong base for continued global expansion, creating opportunities that benefit young riders, MotoGP™, and our worldwide audience alike.”
The Road Ahead
With its refreshed identity and expanded structure, the Road to MotoGP™ stands ready to guide the next generation from local kart tracks to the world stage. It’s not just a development system — it’s a promise: that talent, wherever it comes from, will always find its way to the top.
