News MXGP 2027: Kove and ZXMoto Enter the World Championship

What was, at the end of the summer, nothing more than a persistent and somewhat provocative rumor is now a certainty set in stone. With the 18th round of the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship in Shanghai approaching, promoter Infront Moto Racing and the governing bodies have confirmed a major development: China will officially join the MXGP starting in the 2027 season with two major factory teams, Kove and ZXMoto.

This is an industrial and sporting seismic shift that we had already anticipated at the end of August when we discussed the possibility of an off-road revolution driven by the enigmatic ZXMoto project. The reality today goes even further.

Infront Moto Racing’s strategy is paying off

For a decade, the MXGP’s policy of expanding into new territories—and particularly into Asia—has sparked passionate debate. The custom-built track in Fengxian District, developed in Shanghai in partnership with the Oriental Beauty Valley Group and H&H Sports, was the physical embodiment of this ambition.

Today, Infront Moto Racing President and CEO David Luongo is reveling in the success:

Expanding into Asia has always been part of our strategy. We came to China to lead this market, not to follow it, and today we’re seeing the results: two Chinese manufacturers are preparing full-fledged factory programs for 2027, and a third is making its debut at our Grand Prix in Shanghai. That’s exactly what a world championship should do.

Just as Ducati and Triumph did very recently, the Chinese manufacturers have realized that they need to go through the world motocross circuit to gain international technical credibility and build a reputation for performance on the global stage.

Kove Factory Racing: From the intensity of the Dakar Rally to the rigors of the MXGP

Of the two manufacturers expected in 2027, Kove is undoubtedly the most experienced at the top level of international competition. Founded in 2017 in Chongqing, the brand quickly distinguished itself by focusing exclusively on mid- and high-displacement recreational and sport bikes. But it is through extreme off-road racing that the manufacturer has forged a global reputation.

The 450 Rally: A Showcase of Technology and Proven Reliability

Kove’s reputation was built on the demanding trails of rally-raid racing thanks to its famous 450 Rally. A true bridge between competition and production models, the bike features a single-cylinder engine custom-developed by the giant Zongshen according to Kove’s strict specifications. Delivering 54 chevaux with a dry weight of just 145 kg, this beauty carries no less than 30 liters of fuel in its Standard and Factory versions.

After a remarkable debut and successful test runs at the Baja Aragon and the Rally of Morocco, the brand capitalized on its success on the legendary Dakar stage:

• A sparkling 2026 Dakar: In the January 2026 edition, 4 of the 5 KOVE riders who entered crossed the finish line. A demonstration of reliability underscored by the outstanding performances of Milan Engel (20th overall), Javi Vega (28th), Sunier (35th), and Andrea Gava (39th).

• Neels Théric’s Top Speed: Despite a heartbreaking retirement during the 13th and final stage, French driver Neels Théric made a lasting impression by dominating the Rally 2 class and posting an impressive top speed behind the wheel of his KOVE.

Heading to the 2027 MXGP with a European team

Building on the experience gained on sand and gravel, Kove is now turning its attention to motocross. The 2027 MXGP schedule promises to be particularly demanding:

• Roster: Two factory bikes entered in the premier MXGP class.

• Top-tier management: The team will be led by Tom Steensels, a respected figure in the paddock and former head of the TBS Conversions KTM team. He is already overseeing test sessions, development, and the team’s organizational structure.

• R&D Synergy: The project draws directly on the research and development centers in Chongqing and Chengdu.

The manufacturer’s stated goal leaves no room for doubt: This marks the beginning of a long-term factory program with a crystal-clear objective—to compete and establish Kove at the highest level of world motocross.

ZXMoto: Zhang Xue’s Creative Revenge

The arrival of ZXMoto (also known as ZXJC or Zhang Xue Motorcycles) adds a dramatic and exciting dimension to this saga. To understand what’s at stake with this brand, we must go back to its origins: its founder is none other than Zhang Xue, the former rider and charismatic founder… of Kove!

After parting ways with his first brand following strategic disagreements with his shareholders, Zhang Xue immediately launched ZXMoto with the ambition of developing even more exclusive and sporty machines. The brand has already made a name for itself this season by securing its first victories in the FIM Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP).

For the MXGP, ZXMoto is pursuing an equally ambitious path:

• Program: Full-season entry starting in 2027 with a 450 cm³ bike developed jointly by China and Europe.
• Sporting Director: Jesús Rincón, who has confirmed that the bike is already being tested on the dyno and on the track and that the team’s structure is being finalized.
• Strategic Discipline: ZXMoto has deliberately declined a wild-card entry at the end of 2026 to focus 100% on preparations for 2027.

The head-to-head showdown in 2027 between Kove (the established giant) and ZXMoto (the new venture from its banned founder) promises to be explosive, both on the sporting and technical fronts.

JHL Factory Racing: A Historic Wild-Card Debut in Shanghai

While Kove and ZXMoto are laying the groundwork for 2027, history will be made this weekend, September 12–13, 2026, at the MXGP of China. For the first time in the history of off-road racing, a motorcycle designed by a Chinese manufacturer will line up on the starting grid for an MXGP World Championship round.

This first is courtesy of JHL Factory Racing, which is entering a JHL LX350R as a wild card. While the brand does not plan to compete in the entire 2027 championship, this home-track appearance serves as a full-scale test.

To ride this unprecedented machine, JHL made a wise strategic choice by recruiting German rider Brian Hsu (28):

• Born in Germany, raised in Taiwan, and living in Cremona, Italy, Hsu is fluent in Mandarin.
• His international background and experience on European tracks make him the perfect technical bridge between the Chinese engineers and the demands of the global paddock.

Summary table of the key players in the Chinese wave of MXGP

The field: 7 official brands and 17 factory bikes in MXGP (2026)

In 2026, the premier MXGP class features 7 official manufacturers competing through factory teams (Officially Approved Teams—OAT), fielding a total of 17 permanent factory bikes on the grid:

• Honda (HRC) – 3 bikes: The official Honda team fields an impressive lineup consisting of Jeffrey Herlings, returning American rider Tom Vialle (an MXGP rookie), and Rubén Fernández.(Note that the brand also has supported satellite teams such as SR Motul.)
• Ducati (Red Bull Ducati Factory MXGP) – 3 bikes: As it ramps up its presence in the premier class, the Italian manufacturer is fielding three factory bikes ridden by Jeremy Seewer, Calvin Vlaanderen, and Andrea Bonacorsi.
• Yamaha (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory) – 2 bikes: The factory team relies on Tim Gajser and French rider Maxime Renaux.
• Kawasaki (Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP) – 2 bikes: The green brand is defending its title with reigning champion Romain Febvre, supported by Pauls Jonass.
• KTM (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – 2 bikes: The Austrian manufacturer is counting on Lucas Coenen and rookie Andrea Adamo, who has been promoted from the MX2 class.
• Fantic (Fantic Factory Racing MXGP) – 2 bikes: Now managed by Jacky Martens’ organization, the official Fantic team features Alberto Forato and Brent Van Doninck.
• Beta (MRT Racing Team Beta) - 2 bikes: The Italian brand is fielding two bikes ridden by Belgian Jago Geerts and rookie Rick Elzinga.
• Husqvarna (Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing) - 1 bike: Husqvarna rounds out the factory lineup in the premier class with a bike ridden by reigning MX2 champion Kay de Wolf.

(Note: Triumph is also competing internationally but is focusing its official factory efforts on the MX2 class with its 250 cm³ bikes before considering the premier class).

What can we expect from this Chinese revolution in off-road racing?

The simultaneous arrival of Kove and ZXMoto in MXGP for 2027 marks a turning point comparable to the arrival of Japanese manufacturers in the 1970s. With substantial financial resources, first-rate industrial capacity, and the input of seasoned European technicians, Chinese brands are no longer here just to make up the numbers or sell low-end models. They’re here to compete at the top of the pyramid against the Austrian, Japanese, and European giants.

See you in Shanghai for JHL’s debut, ahead of the big leap in 2027—which is already shaping up to be an exciting one to follow on Motoplanete!