New ‘Road to MotoGP’ program revealed

The FIM and Dorna Sports have announced changes to the Road to MotoGP program that will unify existing junior categories under a single identity. The familiar Red Bull Rookies Cup will continue mostly unchanged, but there’s a new starting point for MotoGP glory, ‘Moto Mini,’ with a new ‘Moto4’ category introduced, too.

According to Dorna, each step in the new program works as part of a whole, creating a clear framework for riders and providing scope for the program to further expand around the world, specifically in markets where MotoGP doesn’t have a large presence. In relation to the last point, additional initiatives will be introduced to encourage teams in these junior categories to select riders from countries that currently don’t supply riding talent.

"We’re very proud of the Road to MotoGP,” said Carlos Ezpeleta, Chief Sporting Officer at MotoGP. “We continue to be committed to growing our sport, from the grassroots and making sure we’re widening the base of the pyramid globally. This new structure, and its new identities, are an important evolution.

“In the here and now, it creates a clear pathway - for riders, their parents and fans around the world, and one that fits perfectly with the future of the Grand Prix classes. It also creates a fantastic foundation for the continued expansion of the program.”

The new starting point for the Road to MotoGP is the ‘MotoMini World Series’. Conducted at a national level for riders from throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and USA, MotoMini is essentially the same as MiniGP. In its local form, MiniGP has been a control formula, using Ohvale 160cc bikes for riders aged 10 to 14, with 190cc variants available for riders over 12. This two-tier bike offering will remain for MotoMini, with all rounds held on go kart tracks.

The top riders in each national MotoMini series will be invited to take part in the World Final in Valencia ahead of the MotoGP season finale, where more opportunities on the Road to MotoGP are up for grabs.

Above MotoMini, the new class is ‘Moto4’. This covers existing regional championships, like the Asia Talent Cup, which will now be known as the ‘Moto4 Asia Cup’. Equivalents in Europe, Northern Europe, the UK and Latin America will also be rebranded. That means there’s now a ‘Moto4 European Cup,’ ‘Moto4 Northern Cup,’ ‘Moto4 British Cup’ and ‘Moto4 Latin Cup’. Sponsor prefixes, like Idemitsu for the Asia Talent Cup, will be retained under the Moto4 branding.

Open to riders aged 14 and above, Moto4 is another control formula, using the existing Honda NSF250R (a scaled-back version of Honda’s Moto3 bike) to ensure an level playing field for all entrants. As per its Talent Cup form, Moto4 championships will be held on proper race tracks, which for the Asia series, have included Sepang, Mandalika, Buriram and Lusail.

Above Moto4, there’s the familiar Red Bull Rookies Cup, which is already generally referred to as the ‘Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup’. This branding will be formalised from 2026, with the Euro-centric championship open for riders aged 15 and up. Rounds will continue to be held in conjunction with MotoGP at selected European circuits, with all riders on KTM machinery.

Finally, Junior GP gets a rebrand as ‘Moto3 Junior’. Open to riders aged 16 and over, Moto3 Junior will be part of a new-look “MotoJunior World Championship”. In addition to Moto3 Junior, this championship comprises the ‘Moto2 European Championship,’ itself a pathway into the Moto2 World Championship, and the Moto4 European Cup.

From 2026, the entire Road to MotoGP will adopt this new structure – starting with MotoMini, then progressing through Moto4, Moto3 Junior and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup to the existing Grand Prix categories – Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP.

New incentives under this program will be introduced for teams to select junior riders from selected countries, including extra support for fielding and succeeding with riders from countries outside the sport’s current catchment areas. Full details on this are still to be revealed.

"The FIM remains committed to identifying, supporting and providing clear and defined opportunities for emerging and talented riders from all corners of the world,” said Jorge Viegas, FIM President. “The new Road to MotoGP structure is the latest initiative in this pursuit and represents a hugely important step as we look to provide equal opportunities for all young riders irrespective of where they are racing in the world.

“MotoGP has a truly global fan base and following, so it is vital that this is also reflected out on track too. As a result of this program, we are confident that we will see new champions from new countries make their mark at the highest level in the future."