Supermoto has established itself as a vibrant competitive motorcycle sport, featuring a range of championships that test the mettle of riders and the capabilities of their specialized machines. From premier international events sanctioned by the FIM to national series that foster talent and competition, Supermoto offers a diverse landscape for racers. These championships highlight the sport's unique blend of road and off-road skills, drawing competitors
and fans from around the world to witness its dynamic action.
The FIM Supermoto World Championship
The pinnacle of international Supermoto competition is the FIM S1GP Supermoto World Championship, organized by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM). This prestigious event takes place annually, with races held at various locations across the globe, showcasing the sport's international appeal. The championship was first contested in 2002, marking a significant milestone in Supermoto's development as a recognized global discipline.
Currently, the competition features a single class, S1, which represents the elite level of Supermoto racing. However, in its earlier years, a second class, S2, was also part of the World Championship, contested between 2004 and 2009 before it was eventually discontinued. Throughout its history, the FIM Supermoto World Championship has seen many talented riders, but the most successful among them is the Frenchman Thomas Charayre, who has secured an impressive eight titles, cementing his legacy in the sport.
International Team Competition: Supermoto of Nations
Complementing the individual world championship is the FIM Supermoto of Nations, an annual team-based event that has been organized by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) since its inception in 2006. This championship brings together national teams to compete for collective glory, adding another layer of excitement and national pride to the Supermoto calendar. The event fosters a unique competitive spirit as riders represent their countries on the international stage.
Historically, France has demonstrated remarkable dominance in the Supermoto of Nations, having won the championship an impressive 13 times, showcasing the strength of their national Supermoto program. The most recent champion of this prestigious event is Austria, indicating the evolving competitive landscape and the global spread of top-tier Supermoto talent.
Supermoto in the United States: The AMA Series
In the United States, the AMA Supermoto Championship served as a prominent national series for the sport. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Motorcyclist Association, this championship ran from 2003 through 2009. It provided a structured platform for professional Supermoto racing in the U.S., featuring various classes designed to accommodate different motorcycle specifications and rider skill levels.
Main classes included Supermoto, later known as Supermoto Premier, which catered to 400-450cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder motorcycles. Another significant class was Supermoto Unlimited, open to two-stroke, single-cylinder motorcycles of 490cc and greater, as well as four-stroke, single-cylinder motorcycles. Support classes further diversified the competition, such as the Honda Junior Supermoto Challenge, where riders competed on identically prepared Honda CRF150Fs, and Supermoto Lites, introduced in 2005 for 200-250cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder motorcycles. From 2004 onwards, the Supermoto Championship operated as a traditional cumulative points championship, with points from each round contributing to the overall title. Notable constructors involved in the series included Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Husqvarna Motorcycles, with Austria KTM being the last Constructors' champion. Following the professional series, an amateur national championship, also known as AMA Supermoto and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association as AMA Sports, was launched in 2013 with USA Supermoto acting as the new promoter.
