- Superbikes will be banned in Hengelo and Chimay from 2027
- International road races will no longer be under FIM auspices from 2026
- New racing series aims to give the Superbike class a future on road courses
The Superbike category is gradually losing importance in Central European road racing. Safety concerns, rising costs, and a change in policy by the associations mean that 1000cc motorcycles are increasingly being excluded from non-permanent racetracks.
Withdrawal of superbikes from road courses
Road races with superbikes have been considered a crowd puller and the sporting highlight of many events for years. Nevertheless, it is precisely these races that are the focus of international safety discussions. The International Motorcycling Federation (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) has decided that international road races in Europe will no longer be held under its auspices from the 2026 season onwards. This decision has a direct impact on national and regional series.
The International Road Racing Championship has also already reacted and removed the Superbike class from its program from the 2026 season onwards. Instead, sport bikes will take over the role of the top class in the future.
National associations follow suit
The world association’s line is being adopted by national organizations. In a joint consultation, the Belgian motorsport authority Fédération Motocycliste de Belgique and the Dutch motorcycle association Koninklijke Nederlandse Motorrijders Vereniging decided on changes for the BeNeLux Trophy and the Belgian Superbike Championship.
From the 2027 season onwards, Superbikes will no longer compete in Hengelo and Chimay. The 2026 season will therefore be the last year in which the premier class will be represented on these two road courses. The federations cited safety and cost reasons for this decision. The exact wording is:
“We are following an international trend in which Superbike races are no longer held on non-permanent racetracks for safety and cost reasons.”
New racing series founded as a countermeasure
After the final race in Frohburg, riders from the scene reacted to this development. Belgian Laurent Hoffmann and Dutchman Rob van Eijs founded the European Road Racing Series. The aim of this new series is to continue to provide a platform for the Superbike class on road courses.
Just a few weeks after its founding, the organizing team presented a provisional calendar with six events. Races are planned at the Varsselring in Hengelo, the Jarno Saarinen Imatranajo Circuit in Imatra, the Circuit de Chimay, and the natural race track in Horice. In addition, the North West 200 in Northern Ireland and a second event in Horice are planned.
These tracks are largely identical to those on which the IRRC also holds its races, which should enable organizational synergies.
Uncertain future from 2027
However, the new series is already facing challenges for the 2027 season. The ban on the Superbike class in Hengelo and Chimay means that alternative venues must be found. This shows how difficult it has become to secure road races with powerful motorcycles in the long term.
Road racing will continue to exist, but the role of Superbikes in it will become smaller. In Central Europe, there are many indications that the premier class will only be able to take place on public roads to a limited extent or not at all.
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