CFMoto advances MotoGP ambitions with new Rimini racing department
CFMoto has begun constructing a new racing headquarters in Rimini, Italy, to support its expanding motorsport programs.
CFMoto has begun work on a new racing department in Rimini, Italy. The facility, located in the Emilia-Romagna region just over an hour from Bologna, is a cornerstone of the Chinese manufacturer's strategy to raise its global racing profile.
The new Italian technology centre is underway. It involves constructing the building, assembling employees, and relocating operations. This racing team will sit beside CFMoto's existing R&D and industrial design team in the same area. Samantha Liu, general manager of CFMoto's Motorsports Management Centre, emphasized patience and a long-term approach. The department is not a standalone venture.
Building the foundation for competition
CFMoto is working hard to build the structure, put employees together, and move into the new building. The company frames this as the first concrete steps toward a future MotoGP project. Liu confirmed the facility's broad purpose. "Is this going to be only for MotoGP? No. It's helping us in several different fields, as you can imagine," she said. The racing department will support multiple programs, reflecting a structured, expansive strategy.
Expanding beyond MotoGP
While MotoGP remains a goal, CFMoto's current racing portfolio is diverse. The company already competes in both Moto3 and Moto2. Its ambitions extend further. CFMoto is developing a not-yet-released V4 SR-RR sports bike for the WorldSBK championship. Also, a major supplier role awaits in 2027. In that year, CFMoto will replace Yamaha as the sole bike supplier for the WorldWCR championship, the women's-only series that operates within the WorldSBK paddock.
| Series | CFMoto's Involvement | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Moto3 | Current competitor | Since 2022 with PruestelGP |
| Moto2 | Current competitor & title sponsor | Title sponsor of Aspar team from 2024 |
| WorldSBK | Future entry | V4 SR-RR bike in development |
| WorldWCR | Future supplier | Will supply all bikes from 2027 |
Pathway to MotoGP shaped by timing and history
CFMoto has been involved in grand prix racing since 2022, first entering the lightweight class with the German PruestelGP team. Its presence expanded in 2024 when it replaced GasGas as the title sponsor for the Aspar team in Moto2. Aspar team owner Jorge Martinez has stated CFMoto has its eye on a MotoGP entry. The company has been vocal for years about its interest in joining both MotoGP and WorldSBK.
How long it will take to enter MotoGP remains unclear. A near-term entry is unlikely. All five current MotoGP manufacturers-Ducati, Aprilia, Honda, Yamaha, and KTM-signed a new commercial agreement that locks them in until 2031. This presents a significant barrier. Should CFMoto eventually join, it would become the first Chinese company to race in the premier series. Bologna, the home of Ducati, is now within closer operational reach.
CFMoto is working to build the structure, assemble employees, and move into the new building as the first steps toward a MotoGP project.
