Before any of the household names of MotoGP became as such, they all had to start somewhere. In the lead-up to the first round, we’re putting a spotlight on the numerous performance motorcycle racing series. This is where many enthusiastic riders are taking their first steps (or wheels) onto the track to become the stars of tomorrow. In this article, we’ll look at the various junior open to potential talent on the Road to MotoGP.

FIM MotoMini World Series

Since 2021, the FIM MotoMini World Series has been the first step for your riders to start their journeys on the Road to MotoGP. This is in collaboration with the FIM, MotoGP, Dorna Sports, and various motorcycle unions worldwide. The series serves as a global initiative to find young new talent at the grassroots of competitive two-wheel racing. Each participating nation runs its own MotoMini series, with a sponsorship partner assisting to keep costs minimal. It also helps provide maximum accessibility for any young rider who wants to participate.

There are two classes run with a minimum of five events and ten races. The first class is for riders aged 10 to 14, racing on 160cc motorcycles. The second is for riders aged 12 to 16 on 190cc machines. The top-performing riders from both classes are then invited to compete in the World Final, a two-day event held during a MotoGP race weekend.

The Moto4 Series

The new Moto4 class series has further consolidated the Road to MotoGP, aiming to promote more young riders. Many of the individual championships have been around for several seasons. However, streamlining them under the one Moto4 banner makes the path much clearer moving forward. All series use Honda NSF250R motorcycles, a slightly less powerful machine than those used in the Moto3 class.

Momoven Moto4 European Cup

Over its seven seasons, the Momoven Moto4 European Cup has produced some exceptional talent. Some of these include Moto2 and Moto3 stars Manuel González, David Alonso, and Máximo Quiles. The series has now been rebranded as Moto4 and has acquired a new sponsorship partner ahead of the 2026 season. This will allow young riders aged 14 and up to experience racing at bigger venues, developing their skills on the way to a professional career.

Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup

Entering a new era for 2026, the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup provides opportunities for young riders. Talent from across the Asia-Pacific region compete across six rounds. This year, they will race alongside the MotoGP season opener in Thailand, showcasing the talent to a much wider audience. Last year’s champion and third-place finisher, Ryota Ogiwara and Alfonsi Daquigan, moved up to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. This has left the competition wide open for someone else to follow in their footsteps.

Moto4 Northern Cup

This year, the Moto4 Northern Cup will run 7 races across central and northern Europe. These events will coincide with MotoGP, WorldSBK, and IDM events. The series is open to riders aged 14 to 17 and comprises two races per event. There are 24 names on the provisional entry list for the 2026 season (two of which are female riders). Half the grid is brand new to the series. Most of these young riders are graduates of the FIM MotoMini World Series. This shows that the new architecture initiative is having the desired impact.

R&G Moto4 British Cup

In its eighth season, the R&G Moto4 British Cup is now the sole British Moto3 class series for competitors in partnership with MotorSport Vision Racing. Riders aged between 14 and 17 race in events around the UK, alongside the British Superbike Championship. Throughout the season, rider performance in the field is studied extensively. Successful riders are then offered the opportunity to be promoted along the Road to MotoGP. The 2025 champion, Ethan Sparks, and Filip Surowiak are examples of this. Sparks will compete in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, and Surowiak will move up to the FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship series.

Moto4 Latin Cup

There are exciting changes in 2026 for the Moto4 Latin Cup. The biggest one is its inclusion in the Road to MotoGP pyramid. As well as having 16 riders, aged 14 to 19, confirmed, the series will hold one of its events alongside the MotoGP race weekend in Brazil, an event that is already garnering a lot of attention from fans and riders alike. As more Latin American competitors enter the sport, the latest being Diogo Moreira‘s advancement to MotoGP, hopeful participants are seeing firsthand the opportunities that a development series such as this can offer.

FIM MotoJunior World Championship

For 25 years, the FIM MotorJunior World Championship series has been shaping the stars of today. Riders can compete in two classes: the Moto2 European Championship or the Moto3 Junior FIM World Championship. Starting this year, competing in the series comes with a new set of economic incentives for teams, subject to conditions. The first is that riders must be from a country with a population of more than 100,000 people. The second is that the same rider at the start of the season must have less than 10% representation anywhere in MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3. Meaning, they could not have held a permanent seat in either of those classes. The last condition is that the rider must be 18 years of age or younger on January 1st of the year in which they compete in any MotoJunior class.

After all that, the riders still need to place in the top 10 of the championship standings. Not only do these incentives help create visibility for up-and-coming riders, but they also prepare them for the numerous rules and regulations that await them in the major series. Riders often act as substitutes in the MotoGP paddock. Some are even promoted later on. This includes Brian Uriate, who was promoted to Moto3 for the 2026 season with the Red Bull KTM Ajo team.

FIM Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup

More often than not these days, the MotoGP paddock is full of FIM Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup graduates. Notable mentions include 2024 MotoGP champion Jorge Martín, Ai Ogura, Brad Binder, Pedro Acosta, and the first Rookie champion, Johann Zarco. For the 13th season, riders will race on the KTM RC 250R 4-stroke motorcycles.

Riders come from across the globe to try their luck in the series. At the end of every year, the Selection Event is overseen by a committee to choose the talented riders to be invited to the subsequent season. Out of 113 riders from 38 nations who showed their skills at Guadix in Southern Spain, eight were invited to compete in the 2026 season. This included a young rider from Malta, Travis Borg, making him the first to represent his country.

Where Will the Next Champion Be Found?

With so many different junior series these days to help develop young talent, the real question isn’t when we will see these riders filter up into MotoGP, but from where. Of course, the percentage of riders who are successful in these series is slim, and the talent pool is only growing. Only the best of the best can make it to the coveted 22 spots of MotoGP. But before they jump up to the major leagues, some decide to go through the intermediary classes to prove themselves further.