Motorcycle racing involves motorcyclists competing on circuits, tracks and trails. There are numerous types of motorcycle racing, categorized based on the motorcycle. When thinking about motorcycle racing you might think first about road and track racing; however, cross-country and off-road races have built up a cult following too.
Like in other sports, it has top races for the best motorcyclists to compete against each other, bringing spectators and the best riders together from around the world.
It’s one of the most enjoyable sports to watch and participate in, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the biggest motorcycle races in the world that fans tune in to watch each year.
The motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) is arguably the biggest series of motorcycle road racing events. It’s the premier class of motorcycle road racing, held on road circuits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) which has been governing motorcycle sports since 1949.
MotoGP has been the top division since 2002, when the four-stroke era began – the first three classes use a four-stroke engine, and the last one uses electric motors. Each season consists of 19 races across 15 countries, attracting thousands of people from around the world to tune in and watch the biggest competition for motorcyclists.
For this race, wearing the right gear is a must. But not just any gear. The best, like Furygan, worn by two-time Moto2 World Champion Johann Zarco, is D3O-protected.
The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) races are an annual motorcycle road racing event on the Isle of Man during spring. It is known as one of the most extreme racing events in the world involving a 37.7-mile mountain course with over 200 bends. In fact, it has been described by Sports Illustrated as, "a test of nerves and speed that may be sport’s most dangerous event.”
It’s structured in a time-trial format on public roads which are closed off for the event. This takes place over one week of practice sessions and then one week of racing.
The first event was held in 1907 and has hosted over 100 races since. There are 7 race classes, including a race for motorcycles that produce zero emissions – TT Zero.
D3O ambassador Michael Dunlop has won this race 21 times, and sports a D3O-protected Furygan suit.
The annual Daytona 200 began in 1937 and is held at the Daytona Speedway. The event usually occurs during early spring and is managed by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). The race became increasingly popular in the 1970s as it attracted the largest audience in AMA history. The course offers a 3.51-mile track for the sportbike division.
The Superbike World Championship has featured the top races in the superbike category since being founded in 1988. The championship consists of a series of races held on various racetracks around the world, attracting riders from across the globe to compete for the championship title across all categories. It uses a point-based scoring system to determine the winner. How does it work? At the end of each race, points are awarded on a sliding scale as in Grand Prix races: 25, 20, 15, 13, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 point. Racers must score 25 points for first place, 20 for second, 16 for third and 13 for fourth.
This is the premier championship of motocross racing which was introduced in 1957 and is sanctioned by the FIM.
Motocross is a type of off-road motorcycle racing. There are usually 2 races per class (categorized A to D depending on the rider’s experience) at each round, and the championship is divided into 2 classes – MXGP and MX2. There are 18 events within the competition with 2 rounds for each event.
The Dakar Rally is an annual event organized by Amaury Sport Organisation. Since the first event in 1978, it has been staged from France to Senegal, with some events held in South America.
The rally is an off-road tournament with much tougher terrain than conventional rallying. For instance, most of the competitive segments involve crossing dunes and rocks. Due to the extreme nature of the event, many contestants wear the D3O In&Motion Back Protector while racing, for the ultimate combination of protection and comfort.
When participating in a motorcycle event, it’s crucial to wear motorcycle armor to minimize the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
On race courses, motorcycle one-piece suits are frequently compulsory. If the two halves of the suit have a zip connecting them, some tracks might accept this. But it’s simpler to invest in the appropriate design than to take a chance on a broken zip or getting sent back by a track official who is a stickler for the rules.
One-piece leather motorcycle suits offer better overall protection. Compared to a zipper, which can be easily pulled apart with the appropriate amount of power, the continuous piece of leather is far more durable.