Road to MotoGP", the new names: what are MotoMini, MotoJunior, and Moto4?

The "Road to MotoGP" program is constantly evolving. During last weekend in Portimão, various updates were unveiled; specifically, the names of all the championships on the path to the Motorcycling World Championship are changing once again. From 2026, the entire program will be reshaped into this new structure, including new incentives for teams that support MotoJunior riders from key countries. The full announcement will be revealed soon, with teams receiving extra support to field and achieve success with riders from countries outside the sport’s current main fan bases. MotoJunior will be the new name of JuniorGP, which had already changed from FIM CEV Repsol in 2022, and it’s changing again, as are all its categories, with the new MotoMini and Moto4: here’s how it looks now.

The former FIM MiniGP World Series is now the FIM MotoMini World Series, with the final taking place from today until November 13 right in Valencia, just before the GP that marks the end of the 2025 MotoGP World Championship. Notably, we have four determined standard-bearers in action: in 160cc, here are Daniel Putortì (national champion in the class) and Mattia Gabrielli (160cc runner-up); in 190cc we have Filippo Balestrero (Italian Ohvale 190 champion) and Alessandro Lora (Mini Bike 190 European champion and runner-up in the Italian series). After the second places in the 2024 FIM MiniGP World Series for Lorenzo Fino in the 190 and for Daniel Putortì in the 160, how will our boys fare this year? In two days we’ll have the verdict.

In the meantime, a quick reminder of what it’s about. The former MiniGP, now the FIM MotoMini World Series, is the first initiative in global motorsport aimed at creating equality among youngsters. The 160cc series, for riders aged 10 to 14, and the 190cc series, for riders aged 12 and up, offer two stages of competition on karts across the world. The best riders from each national series are then invited to take part in the World Final in Valencia, ahead of the MotoGP season finale, where further opportunities open up to join the Road to MotoGP.

From there, the path continues with this level for riders aged 14 and up, giving them the chance to experience larger circuits and equal machinery: the Honda NSF250R. The Moto4 level currently includes the Momoven Moto4 European Cup, the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup, the Moto4 Northern Cup, the R&G Moto4 British Cup, and the Moto4 Latin Cup, each offering a route to the next level. Each of these categories targets a different region, providing a diverse and continually growing number of opportunities worldwide.

The final steps on the road to MotoGP are the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and the FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship. The Rookies category, starting at age 15, keeps its name and continues racing in the MotoGP paddock at some of the most important European circuits. The FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship, for riders aged 16 and over, is the heart of the revamped MotoJunior World Championship. Specifically, the former CEV Repsol, which became FIM JuniorGP in 2022 and now takes on yet another new identity. This championship also includes the Moto2 European Championship, itself a pathway to the Moto2 World Championship, and the Moto4 European Cup, the new name for the European Talent Cup, the entry class into MotoJunior.

“The FIM remains committed to identifying, supporting, and providing clear, defined opportunities for up-and-coming, talented riders from every corner of the world,” said President Jorge Viegas. “The new Road to MotoGP structure is the latest initiative in this area and represents an extremely important step in our goal of offering equal opportunities to all young riders, regardless of where they race in the world. MotoGP has a truly global fan base and following, so it’s essential that this is reflected on track as well. Thanks to this program, we are confident that in the future we will see new champions from new countries making their mark at the highest levels.”

“We are very proud of this program,” added MotoGP Sporting Director Carlos Ezpeleta. “We continue to work to grow our sport from the ground up and to ensure we broaden the base of the pyramid globally. This new structure and its new identities represent an important evolution. In the present, they chart a clear path for riders, their parents, and fans worldwide, one that fits perfectly with the future of the World Championship classes. They also create a fantastic foundation for the continued expansion of the program. Creating global opportunities is important for the young riders we support, important for MotoGP, and important for our global fan base.”