New entry-level S2 class gives young riders a taste of FIM World Championship racing
The new FIM S2 SuperMoto World Championship will give riders under 23 a route into racing on the global stage, with smaller-capacity bikes competing alongside S1GP.
Young riders looking to make a name for themselves in SuperMoto will have a new route into world championship racing from 2027, with the introduction of the FIM S2 SuperMoto World Championship.
Announced by the FIM and championship promoter XIEM, the new class will replace the existing FIM Europe SuperMoto European Championship at world championship level, giving junior riders the chance to compete on the same bill as the premier S1GP category.
The idea is to create a stepping stone for younger competitors before they move up to S1GP, where riders compete on four-stroke machines of up to 450cc. S2 will be reserved for riders under the age of 23, with eligibility based on smaller-capacity machinery.
Bikes on the grid will be either two-strokes between 100cc and 125cc, or four-strokes between 175cc and 250cc. That should give riders a more accessible entry point into international competition, without immediately putting them up against the larger-capacity bikes used in the top class.
S2 will run alongside S1GP at all six rounds of the 2027 championship, immersing competitors in the world championship paddock while they develop their skills and experience on and off the bike.
The season begins at Albaida in Spain on 11 April, before moving on to Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The championship finale will take place at Busca in Italy on 17 October. The FIM SuperMoto of Nations is scheduled for Carole in France on 3 October.
The FIM says further details covering regulations and entry requirements will be announced at a later date, so there are still questions to be answered about how riders will qualify and what the new class will look like in practice.
Speaking about the new class, FIM President Jorge Viegas said:
“The FIM is pleased to see the evolution of the FIM SuperMoto World Championship, and the addition of the S2 class will contribute to the growth of the FIM S1GP SuperMoto World Championship. On behalf of the FIM, I would like to congratulate the championship promoter, XIEM, on their dedication and hard work in developing SuperMoto at international level, and I look forward to an exciting 2027 season.”
Find the latest motorcycle news on Visordown
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
.jpg?height=270&format=webp)
