Motorcycle Racing Calendar: 2023

The 2023 motorcycle racing season is upon us and fans of the sport are gearing up for a year full of thrilling races and championships. From endurance to superbike, the 2023 calendar is packed with a wide range of top-class events that are sure to provide plenty of excitement.  

With such a packed calendar full of events, it can be difficult to keep up with all the major races, riders, and teams. That's why we've put together a comprehensive guide to the 2023 motorcycle racing calendar, so you don't miss a beat!

CIRCUIT-racing

Motorcycle circuit racing is one of the most exciting forms of motorsport. Races take place on dedicated closed circuits, with riders reaching incredible speeds on motorcycles at the pinnacle of mechanical performance. Here are some of the most prestigious competitions:

EWC

The FIM Endurance World Championship, also known as the EWC, is the premier motorcycle endurance racing competition. The 2023 season, which is the 44th season of the EWC, will feature four races in total, 3 of which are 24-hour endurance races (one 8 hour race at Suzuka).

The season kicks off on April 13th to 16th, with the 24 Heures Motos race in Le Mans, France. This race will be held at the Circuit de la Sarthe, considered one of the most challenging circuits in the world. The Le Mans 24-hour race is one of the oldest and most prestigious races in the world - a must-visit event for any motorcycle racing fan.

The second race of the season is the 24H SPA EWC Motos, held at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. This race will take place from 15th - 18th June and will be a true test of the riders' endurance, with racing scheduled for 24 hours straight. The circuit at Spa-Francorchamps is known for its challenging and demanding layout, so the riders will have to be at the top of their game to make it through to the finish line.

From 28th - 30th July, the EWC will make its way to Japan for the Suzuka 8 Hours race. This race will take place at the Suzuka Circuit - one of the most iconic circuits in the world. The Suzuka 8 Hours is considered one of the most important races in the motorcycle racing calendar, attracting some of the best teams and riders from around the world.

The final race of the 2023 season will be the 24-hour Bol d’Or, held at Circuit Paul Ricard in France. This race, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, will take place from 14th - 17th September. This is the deciding round of the EWC season. The Bol d’Or is one of the most gruelling races in the world - a true test of the riders' endurance and strength.

This year, RST will be represented in the EWC by factory riders Sylvain Guintoli, Alan Techer and Kenny Foray. All our factory riders will be wearing the RST v4.1 EVO Kangaroo Airbag Leather Suit.

BSB

The British Superbike Championship, also known as BSB, is one of the most prestigious motorcycle racing championships in the world. The competition features high-powered bikes, skilled riders and close-fought battles on track, making it a thrilling spectacle for fans of the sport. The series has been running since 1988 and has grown in popularity year after year, with a dedicated and enthusiastic following of fans.

One of the key elements of BSB is the close relationship between the teams and the riders. Many of the competitors are home-grown talents, developed through the ranks of British racing, and the championship provides a vital stepping stone for riders looking to make the move to international competitions.

The 2023 season is shaping up to be just as competitive as the last, with several riders and teams looking to challenge for the title. RST will have a heavy grid-presence in this year's BSB championship with Storm Stacey, Lee Jackson and Danny Kent trusting RST’s V4.1 Evo race suit.

WSBK

The World Superbike Championship, also known as WSBK, is a high-speed motorcycle racing competition that takes place annually across the globe. The series features some of the world's best riders and teams, who compete on a mix of circuits, ranging from the traditional tracks of Europe to the fast, flowing tracks of the Asia-Pacific region.

The championship, first held in 1988, is one of the premier motorcycle racing events in the world and attracts a huge following of fans from around the globe. The competition is organised by the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme), the governing body of motorcycle racing, and features some of the world's leading motorcycle manufacturers, including Ducati, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Honda.

The 2022 champion of the World Superbike Championship was Alvaro Bautista, who dominated the season with his impressive riding skills and the speed of his Ducati Panigale V4 R. Bautista's success marked the first time in many years that a rider had won the championship on a Ducati.

RST factory rider Alex Lowes is expected to push for podium finishes throughout the 2023 season, competing with Bautista, his KRT team-mate Jonathan Rea and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu for the top-spots. 

Alex will continue his quest to be the first Englishman to win the WSBK title since 2013 (Tom Sykes) and repeat the feat his manager and RST ambassador Neil Hodgson achieved some 20 years ago!

Over the years, the World Superbike Championship has seen some of the sport's greatest riders, including Carl Fogarty, Troy Corser, and Colin Edwards. Fogarty, who won four championships in the 1990s, is widely regarded as one of the greatest World Superbike riders of all time, while Corser and Edwards were also successful competitors during their careers.

FSBK

The French Superbike Championship, also known as FSBK, is one of the most competitive national motorcycle racing series in Europe. Launched in 1985, the FSBK has been the breeding ground for some of the world's greatest motorcycle riders.

The FSBK is divided into two categories, the Superbike and Supersport, with both classes offering thrilling action and close battles between some of the best riders in France. The Superbike class features top-of-the-line machines such as the Yamaha YZF-R1, Honda CBR1000RR, Kawasaki ZX-10R and Ducati Panigale V4R, while the Supersport class features 600cc machines from the same manufacturers.

One of the most notable riders in the FSBK is current champion Kenny Foray, who won the Superbike title in 2022 aboard his Tecmas Racing Team BMW M1000RR. Kenny is an RST Factory rider who will once again wear RST products on track for 2023.

The FSBK season typically runs from March to October, with rounds taking place at some of France's most famous circuits, including Magny-Cours, Le Mans and Dijon.

MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the premier motorcycle racing championship in the United States, featuring top class road racing competition. With a history dating back to 2015, MotoAmerica has quickly become one of the most exciting and competitive racing series in the world.

The championship comprises several classes, including Superbike, Supersport, and Stock 1000. The top class, Superbike, features the fastest and most powerful production-based motorcycles, providing a thrilling spectacle for fans and riders alike.

Some of the key teams and riders competing in MotoAmerica include Attack Performance, Scheibe Racing, and Yamaha Factory Racing, as well as top riders such as Toni Elias, Cameron Beaubier, and Josh Herrin.

One of the key features of MotoAmerica is its focus on providing a platform for up-and-coming riders to showcase their talent and advance their careers. With a strong emphasis on development and growth, the championship attracts young riders from around the world, as well as experienced racers looking to test their skills against the best in the world.

Historically, MotoAmerica has produced some of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time, with legends such as Ben Spies and Roger Hayden, competing in the series at one point or another.

RST’s representation this year will come in the form of Team Hammer with Richie Escalante, Teagg Hobbs and Tyler Scott all set to pull on the RST leathers.

MotoGP

MotoGP is the premier class of motorcycle road racing, governed by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It is considered to be the most prestigious motorcycle racing championship in the world, attracting some of the best riders and teams from across the globe.

Established in its current form in 2002, MotoGP has been held annually, usually consisting of around 20 races spread across several continents. The championship is contested by teams and riders on purpose-built racing motorcycles, with each manufacturer having a maximum of four bikes on the grid; it is the pinnacle of the sport and motorcycle racings equivalent to Formula 1.

Throughout its history, the MotoGP championship has seen some of the sport's most iconic riders and memorable moments. Names like Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, and Marc Marquez have dominated the competition, each winning multiple world titles. In recent years, the championship has been dominated by Marquez, who won seven consecutive world titles between 2013 and 2019.

In addition to the main championship, the MotoGP calendar also includes several support classes, including Moto2 and Moto3. These classes provide a stepping stone for young talent on their way to the premier class, and often feature close and thrilling racing in their own right.

The 2023 MotoGP season will get underway in March, with races taking place across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The season will culminate in November, with the final round taking place at the legendary Valencia circuit in Spain.

RST riders Neil Hodgson, Sylvain Guintoli and Alex Lowes are all regulars to the MotoGP paddock, in their roles within the BT sport coverage of the championship.

ESBK

The ESBK, or the Campeonato de España de Superbike, is the premier motorcycle racing championship in Spain. The championship is open to Superbikes, Supersport, Moto4, and Pre-Moto3 categories, and is considered to be one of the most competitive national championships in Europe.

The ESBK has a long history of producing world-class riders, many of whom have gone on to become champions in other international series. The championship has been a breeding ground for top talents like Carlos Checa, Sete Gibernau, Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Márquez, and Maverick Viñales.

The ESBK is known for its high level of competitiveness and the quality of its racing. With a rich history and a strong current crop of riders, the championship is one of the most exciting national racing series to follow for motorcycle racing fans.

International Road Racing

Motorcycle road racing is one of the most thrilling and dangerous forms of motorsport. Races take place on public roads, with riders reaching incredible speeds on narrow, winding courses. Here are some of the major motorcycle road racing events:

Isle of Man TT

The Isle of Man TT is perhaps the most famous motorcycle road racing event in the world. Held on the Isle of Man, a small island in the Irish Sea, the TT is a two-week event that features a number of different races. The most prestigious race is the Senior TT, which takes place over six laps of the 37.73-mile course, and is considered the ultimate test of rider and machine. The Isle of Man TT is known for its unique and treacherous course, which features narrow, winding roads and elevation changes that can make it difficult for riders to maintain their speed.

Macau Grand Prix

The Macau Grand Prix is a road race that takes place in the former Portuguese colony of Macau, on the south coast of China. The event features a 3.8-mile circuit that includes both fast straights and tight corners. The Macau GP attracts top riders from around the world, and is known for its challenging course and high-speed crashes.

North West 200

The North West 200 is a road race that takes place on public roads near the town of Coleraine in Northern Ireland. The course is a 8.9-mile triangular circuit, with riders reaching speeds of up to 200mph. The event attracts top riders from around the world, and is known for its fast and challenging course.

The road racing events listed above are just a few of the many that take place around the world. While the risks are high, the rewards for the winners are huge, and the events themselves are steeped in tradition and history.

RST has a number of riders expected to compete across the various events, including Ian Hutchinson, Conor Cummins, Davo Johnson and Lee Johnston.

Conclusion

With so many events, races, and championships the motorcycle racing calendar for 2023 is jam-packed with exciting events, from the high-speed thrills of MotoGP to the endurance-testing Bol d'Or. With top riders and teams from around the world competing, there's sure to be plenty of action and drama as the year progresses. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the sport or just a casual observer, there's something for everyone in the world of motorcycle racing in 2023.

2023 Schedule Motorcycle racing calendar