(13th July 2024, China) Thousands of fans, visitors, riders and racers turned up to the colorful 2024 CFMOTO DAY on July 13th at the Zhejiang International Circuit and were treated to a special appearance: the CFMOTO Aspar Team used their break in MotoGP™ world championship duties and travelled to China to create a unique experience for the public and the hordes of new fans of the Moto3 and Moto2 Grand Prix stars.
(13th July 2024, China) Thousands of fans, visitors, riders and racers turned up to the colorful 2024 CFMOTO DAY on July 13th at the Zhejiang International Circuit and were treated to a special appearance: the CFMOTO Aspar Team used their break in MotoGP™ world championship duties and travelled to China to create a unique experience for the public and the hordes of new fans of the Moto3 and Moto2 Grand Prix stars.
CFMOTO have been enjoying a fantastic racing season. 18-year-old David Alonso leads the world with six Moto3 Grand Prix wins while teammate with the prototype 250cc CFMOTO motorcycle, Joel Esteban, has been roaming the top three of the rising stars. British rider Jake Dixon has already finished on the podium in the first year of CFMOTO’s branded presence in the Moto2 division – the last rung on the ladder before the coveted MotoGP premier class – and former Moto3 world champ, Izan Guevara, has also been making progress.
2024 represents the first association between CFMOTO and the powerful Spanish Aspar squad, helmed by Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez, a four-times world champion himself. The shared passion for motorsport, competition and ultimate performance between the company and Aspar’s entire crew meant a dedicated presence to meet and engage with Chinese fans at CFMOTO Day.
Jake Dixon and David Alonso brought star power to the first minutes of the event. The two racers rode onto the presentation stage with a new 675SR-R and 250SR-R to add some shine and speed to the opening ceremony. The whole line-up then spent time signing autographs and grabbing selfies with their new legion of fans in the circuit ‘Pit House’. The space itself was dedicated to CFMOTO’s growing international racing influence, creating a themed ‘expo’. On display was the gear used by athletes in Moto3 Grand Prix as well as the Dakar Rally, trophies (including that of CFMOTO’s maiden victory at Qatar earlier this year), the 2023 Talent Trophy race bike and memorabilia like a 2022 Moto3 fairing signed by the riders of the company’s debut season in the competition. Those feeling more adventurous were able to grab the handlebars of MotoGP ‘simulators’ and ride like their fresh heroes, and then look through the comprehensive range of CFMOTO racing merchandise: caps, apparel, bags and accessories bringing a wide green vibe to the interiors.
After the introduction, CFMOTO DAY clicked up a gear or two. Over 500 riders grabbed their helmet to take part in a track experience around the FIA Grade 2 Zhejiang layout. CFMOTO laid on the 450SR racing version and 500SR VOOM models – rave-reviewed for their agility, design and power-to-weight output – and were guided around the course by experts. It was a priceless way to not only sample CFMOTO SR potential but also attempt to get the knee down at Zhejiang International Circuit! Once the checkered flag had fallen on the track outing then the bikes were parked in the nearby Entertainment Square that acted as a paddock for the full array of showbikes and other CFMOTO products.
Rubber had been laid around the 16-turn 3.2km course but the adjacent karting circuit had already been battered for two days in the second edition of the CFMOTO Talent Trophy. The scheme aims to help unearth some promising young Chinese talent and the trial races were charged with 10 hopefuls. The CFMOTO Aspar Team had jetted into Zhejiang a few days
before CFMOTO day to act as judges as the candidates used their CFMOTO specmachinery to show their prowess. Li Yuxuan emerged as the latest winner from the selection of hopeful youngsters steering CFMOTO machinery at pace.
“In last October, we launched the CFMOTO Talent Trophy and held the inaugural CFTT competition. Together, in collaboration with CFMOTO Aspar Team, we’ve set up a complete youth development program for the talent, including our JuniorGP team and European Talent Cup team. Our goal is to pave the way for Chinese riders to progress from youth events to MotoGP.” Said John Chen, GM of Two-Wheeler Business Unit.
“It’s been really cool to be here for our first CFMOTO day because we don’t get to race in China or have the time to visit the country and we don’t know how much the fans love MotoGP,” said David Alonso. “It was nice to see how much the brand excites people and how us being here also made them a bit crazy! CFMOTO have a lot of bikes and a lot of following, it meant the long trip for us from Europe was totally worthwhile. For me, I think I will remember the emotion of the people for a long time. It would be so cool if we could race in front of them for real.”
“When we signed this deal to make a brand new team with CFMOTO then we knew we were starting a journey with a strong partner and a company that believes in the power of racing to reach people and fans and to develop the machinery,” says Jorge Martinez. “We had already visited the factory early this year but the CFMOTO Day was a very different experience for us. It was unforgettable, and I can only hope MotoGP comes back to China sooner rather than later. Until the day comes I hope more and more Chinese motorcyclists and CFMOTO customers enjoy watching us.”
CFMOTO day ended with the Grand Prix team making the trip back to the company’s HQ in Hangzhou where they were able to have a more in-depth tour and look at the R&D department, testing area and assembly lines. The British Grand Prix at Silverstone will bring the green CFMOTO bikes back to pace for 2024 MotoGP and CFMOTO will be looking towards more show-stopping scenes for the 2025 incarnation of the event.
