News

The complete list of riders, their bikes, and the teams they represent have been released! many of last year’s top performers are back to fight for FIM Supersport 300 World Championship supremacy, alongside a cadre of new faces.

2024’S TOP RETURNING PERFORMERS: Julio Garcia, Jefferey Buis and others return to battle for the podium

Julio Garcia (Prodina Kawasaki Racing Sport) returns for his fourth season competing in WorldSSP300, the -five-time podium-finisher rider returning to Kawasaki machinery after a season riding with Kove in his first full season of WorldSSP300 competition. Among his opposition, is two-time Champion Jefferey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) who returns with his same team, looking to put an exclamation point on his case for the best WorldSSP300 rider of all time, as he already holds the most World Championships with two. Returning for MTM Kawasaki, Mirko Gennai will return for his sixth season in WorldSSP300, earning 14 podiums in that time.

IN THE HUNT: Several familiar faces return, maintaining their continuity with their 2024 teams

Marco Gaggi will return for his fourth full season with Team BrCorse atop their Yamaha R3, alongside Elia Bartolini in what will be his second season in WorldSSP300. Both riders were frequently in the top ten in 2024 and will look to improve on that watermark in 2025. Pepe Osuna (ZAPPAS-DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team) returns for his second season with the team, being joined by Uriel Hidalgo. Returning to ride alongside Jeffery Buis, German rider Phillip Tonn is back with Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing in 2025. Unai Catalyud returns for ARCO MotorR University Team, this year joined full-time by Gonzalo Sanchez who took part in 2024 only as a wildcard entry. After getting his chance with Team ProDina XCI as a replacement rider in 2024, Antonio Torres has punched his ticket onto the WorldSSP300 grid and now will compete alongside David Salvador. Entering his fourth season in 2025, Italian rider Matteo Vannucci will look to get back on the horse after a 19^th place finish in 2024, a step back after a fifth-place finish in 2023. Giacomo Zannini returns atop Kawasaki machinery for the second time in his two-year WorldSSP300 career, he will look to build on his 2024 season as he struggled to find his footing with their package. Rounding out Accolade Smrz Racing BGR’s pairing, Czech rider Filip Novotny returns to race alongside Kevin Sabatucci in 2025. After appearing for a single round in 2024, Portuguese rider Tomas Alonso returns for Pons Motosport Italka Racing. After making a one-round appearance in 2024 for Racestar Trasimeno, Emanuele Cazzaniga has earned a full-time spot on the team, representing them as their sole rider. Uriel Hidalgo (ZAPPAS-DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team) will return to the grid, this time as a permanent fixture to the grid. Representing Yamaha AD78 FIMLA by MS Racing, Kevin Fontainha will return for his third year in World Supersport 300.

A NEW LOOK: Some riders opted for a change in scenery, shaking up the grid by changing teams

David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) will compete this season atop new Kawasaki machinery after his 2024 rookie year spent riding on a Yamaha with DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team. Making the inverse move, Juan Risueno has moved from Kawasaki GP Project’s Kawasaki Ninja to MS Racing’s Yamaha R3. Changing teams, while staying with the same platform, Aussie rider Carter Thompson moved from Fusport-RT Motorsport by SKM- Kawasaki to MTM Kawasaki. Thompson impressed fans and other teams alike with his two podiums across just his 8 races. Thompson’s 2024 teammate, Petr Svoboda made a move of his own, joining the Kawasaki Junior Team by MTM. Svoboda is not the only rider who will feature for that team, he will be joined by Roberto Fernandez, who joined from Arco Sash MotoR University Team after competing with them in 2024 as a substitute rider.

Kevin Sabatucci will join Czech team Accolade Funds Smrz Racing BGR and their Kawasaki bike after competing in 2024 with Team Flembbo-PL Performances. Lastly, Humberto Maier will move from MS Racing to Yamaha AD78 FIMLA by MS Racing. Re-joining WorldSSP300 after winning the FIM Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup last year, Mallorcan rider Marc Vich returns to the grid with wind in his sails. Emiliano Ercolani made the jump from Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSSP300 Team to Team Kawasaki GP Project. While he rode with Arco Sash MotoR University Team as a replacement in 2024, 2025 brings change for Roberto Fernandez. The Madrid native has changed teams to Kawasaki Junior Team by MTM where he will race for the first time with Kawasaki in WorldSSP300.

WORLDSSP300’s ROOKIES: Felix Putra, Benat Fernandez and Cameron Swain join the WorldSSP300 grid

Australian 16-year-old rider Cam Swain brings experience from Australian Supersport 300, Asian Talent Cup, and most recently, a 9th place finish in the Yamaha R3 BLU CRU World Cup. Benat Fernandez will ride this season’s only Kove 321 RR-S, the Spanish rider from San Sebastian hoping to start his career in this class on a strong note.ProGP NitiRacing’s Yamaha R3. Only 17 years old, he is one of Indonesia’s most promising young talents and distinguished himself in Indonesia when he finished as the Champion of the Indonesian OnePrix’s novice class. 

Watch all of this season’s upcoming WorldSSP300 action either live with race broadcasts or full session uploads to watch it on demand with the WorldSBK VideoPass!