World Sportbike confirmed as replacement for WorldSSP300

World Sportbike

As alluded to throughout our recent three-part interview with Scott Smart, the FIM and WorldSBK have formally introduced that the World Supersport 300 Championship will probably be changed in 2026 by a brand new class: the World Sportbike class.

Ash Barnes competes in BSB Sportbike on a Yamaha YZF-R7, a mannequin additionally used because the management bike in WorldWCR

This new class will intently observe the format established by the British Superbike Championship’s Sportbike class, which has gained traction over the previous two seasons.

2024 Triumph Daytona 660 — The Triumph Daytona 660 races within the present BSB Sportbike class – It’s a 660 cc triple

On the opening spherical of BSB this 12 months, Dutch rider Kas Beekmans took a slender Sportbike victory on a Suzuki GSX-8R, edging out Harrison Dessoy on a Triumph 600.

These are the types of motorcycles we can expect to see in World Sportbike. — Aprilia’s parallel-twin RS660 races within the present BSB Sportbike class

Fenton Seabright completed fourth on an Aprilia RS on the BSB Sportbike collection opener this 12 months. Different bikes featured within the collection embody the Yamaha YZF-R7, Kawasaki Ninja 650, CFMOTO 675SR-R, Kove 450RR Professional, and the Honda Hornet 750. These are the forms of bikes we will anticipate to see in World Sportbike.

It is anticipated that World Sportbike will be closely modelled off this class off BSB Sportbike — Zak Shelton main a BSB Sportbike race at Snetterton final 12 months on an Aprilia RS 660
It’s anticipated that World Sportbike will probably be intently modelled off this class

All Sportbike entries in BSB at the moment run a managed Mektronic ECU bundle and firmware, with efficiency balancing concentrating on an output of round 95 horsepower.

The CFMOTO 657SR-R is one of the models racing in the current BSB Sportbike Championship — The triple-cylinder CFMOTO 657SR-R is likely one of the fashions racing within the present BSB Sportbike Championship

Much like the Subsequent Era Supersport ruleset, every homologated mannequin has an Authorised Elements Record, proscribing modifications to accepted parts, with value caps enforced throughout varied components to keep up value management.

World Sportbike will be closely modelled off BSB Sportbike — Charlie Atkins main a BSB Sportbike race at Snetterton final 12 months on a Kawasaki Ninja 650

Whereas technical and sporting laws for the World Sportbike class are nonetheless to be finalised, it’s anticipated that they are going to intently mirror these in use inside the BSB Sportbike class — with a transparent emphasis on value containment, aggressive parity, and production-based racing.