CFMoto sows seeds of MotoGP debut? Rimini racing department launched

CFMoto has confirmed plans to enter MotoGP in the future, warning other Chinese manufacturers with similar ambitions that work is already underway to make that a reality.

This comes after CFMoto revealed it is setting up a new racing department in Rimini, Italy, which is located in the Emilia-Romagna region, just over an hour away from Bologna, the home of Ducati. 

CFMoto, which currently competes in both Moto3 and Moto2, has long been linked with the premier class of Grand Prix racing.

And those rumours are no longer just that, after the company’s general manager of its Motorsports Management Centre, Samantha Liu, confirmed its plans to produce a MotoGP project.

How long that will take remains unclear at this stage, although Liu was keen to point out that CFMoto’s new racing technology department marks the first steps to making that happen.

Speaking to Visordown Editor, Toad Hancocks, Liu said: 

“Our Italian technology centre, specifically for racing, is underway. We are working very hard to build the structure, to put the employees together, and also move into the new building. It's not a standalone team; it's actually sitting beside our current R&D industrial design team that is in the same area. So they are working together. 

“Is this going to be only for MotoGP? No. It's helping us in several different fields, as you can imagine. We are in different racing programs. But of course, this is a very high class. It will help us to build our understanding, to understand about technology, testing, and so on. It's going to be a long way, and we are prepared to be patient. We are CFMoto, and we're working on our own way. We want to be a brand that is CFMoto, and we focus on our strategy.”

Joining MotoGP is unlikely to take place in the short-term after all five current manufacturers in the sport; Ducati, Aprilia, Honda, Yamaha, and KTM, all signed a new commercial agreement until 2031, earlier this year.

However, by joining MotoGP in the future, CFMoto would become the first Chinese company to race in the series, unless ZXMoto gets there first.

This can’t be ruled out as ZXMoto, which is currently performing very well in the Supersport World Championship, is also thought to be keen on joining MotoGP.

In response to ZXMoto’s MotoGP interest, and whether CFMoto feels as though it's locked in a race to get there first, Liu said: “We have our own pace to follow. Of course, we look left and right, we look very close to the competition, but strategy-wise, we are very clear and we have our own plans.”

As well as MotoGP, CFMoto has been heavily rumoured with building a WorldSBK project, which also has a real chance of happening in the future.

That’s been made even more likely by the new 212bhp V4 SR-RR, which set a new top speed record for a Chinese combustion engine motorcycle in June (196.2mph).

There’s no doubt about the V4 SR-RR’s potential, although it remains to be seen if/when this might become the brand’s first-ever WorldSBK-spec machine. 

Before that potentially takes place, CFMoto says it is pleased with the bike’s performance as a future road-legal motorcycle. 

Asked whether the V4 SR-RR has been earmarked for WorldSBK, Liu added: 

“Well, I've been asked several times because the paddock told me I would be racing in 2027 and the paddock also told me, with a rumour, that I was already preparing my MotoGP project. But, to be very honest with you, we are very happy with our V4 performance as a street vehicle product, and, we are testing, we are working on it. The team is really trying to make one of the greatest V4 bikes in the world, so keep an eye on us, and, you will find the answer very soon.”

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