Look at the WorldSBK paddock and you will see a massive shift over the past four seasons. Chinese manufacturers have gatecrashed a championship traditionally dominated by European and Japanese machinery, moving from debutants to title winners. And now, with the release of the 2027 calendar, the journey reaches a massive milestone: China will host its very first WorldSBK round in Shanghai.
It all started back in 2023 when Kove arrived as the first Chinese manufacturer to enter the paddock, fielding their 321RR machine in the World Supersport 300 class. Zhou Shengjunjie stepped up in the opening two rounds to become the first Chinese rider to ever compete in the series. Points arrived quickly when Marc Garcia took a pair of eighth-place finishes over the next two seasons, helping Kove pocket 22 points in their maiden campaign. But that was merely the warm-up act.
By 2024, the machines were properly finding their pace. Julio Garcia claimed the first-ever podium for a Chinese manufacturer with a rostrum finish in Race 2 of the opening round, spearheading an eight-podium season capped by a stunning win in the Jerez finale. Simultaneously, QJMOTOR expanded the nation's footprint by debuting in the World Supersport class with Raffaele De Rosa aboard the SRK 800 RR machine for QJMOTOR Factory Racing.
The momentum exploded in 2025. Benat Fernandez, riding for Kove Racing Team 109 as the sole Kove entry in WorldSSP300, stormed to victory in Race 2 at Portimao. He stacked up three wins and seven podiums, sealing the final WorldSSP300 Riders' Championship with a breathtaking last-corner move. Over in WorldSSP, QJMOTOR added a second bike for Niki Tuuli, breaking into the points at Most. De Rosa kept pushing the project forward with growing frequency, eventually securing a ninth-place finish in Race 1 at Estoril and taking second in the WorldSSP challenge that season.
The expansion continued with ZXMOTO joining the grid to power the Evan Bros racing squad, bringing in winners Valentin Debise and Federico Caricasulo. They hit the ground running with a front row at Phillip Island and a historic double from the #53 at Portimao. While inconsistency has occasionally bitten them, six wins from eight podium finishes across 20 races prove the speed is terrifyingly real. QJMOTOR also marches forward, grabbing points at Cremona this season while bringing in Bahattin Sofuoglu to partner De Rosa, replacing Marcos Ramirez as the Turkish rider steps across from WorldSBK. Meanwhile, Kove keeps pushing in the new World Sportbike class, where Fernandez has notched a season-high ninth place.
This incredible trajectory has naturally caught the attention of series leadership. WorldSBK Executive Director Gregorio Lavilla noted: "Bringing WorldSBK to China for the first time is an important milestone for the Championship. We have seen Chinese manufacturers make a growing impact across our paddock, and a round in Shanghai is a natural next step in developing that relationship." He added that it brings the series closer to local fans while serving as a memorable finale to the 2027 campaign.
Gu Jiqing, Vice President of Shanghai Jiushi (Group) Co., Ltd., echoed the enthusiasm for the landmark event. "This will provide a new platform for domestic motorcycle brands to participate in international competitions, conduct brand displays and engage in industry exchanges, and will also create a new platform for showcasing Shanghai’s urban soft power," Jiqing stated.
