The entire FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship will race in France for the first time under a new three-year agreement. The FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship, comprising the JuniorGP™ category, the Moto2™ European Championship, the European Talent Cup and the European Stock Championship, will host a round in France for the next three seasons. The world-renowned Circuit de Nevers-Magny Cours will host the Championship for the first time on 5-6 July 2025.
The reception of JuniorGP™ is the last step in the construction of the project Generation Speed, supported by the French Motorcycling Federation. Until now, the series has had rounds in Spain, Italy or Portugal, and Le Mans previously hosted the JuniorGP™ class, but never any standalone rounds of the JuniorGP™ championship. That now changes, as one of the most important European motorcycle racing markets gets its own round of the JuniorGP™.
In its 25-year history, JuniorGP™ has become something of a rite of passage for riders on their way to Grand Prix glory, and is the highest and final step in the Road to MotoGP™ programme. To date, over 80% of riders in the MotoGP™ class have come through the series, with that figure rising to over 90% for the Moto3™ grid.
The FFM, the PHA (organiser of the French GP) and the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours will work in partnership to host the JuniorGP™ over the next three years. The Génération Vitesse programme, launched less than three years ago by the FFM, aims to train and support young talents towards the highest level of the sport – a round of the JuniorGP™ is therefore a perfect final step for the project.
Sébastien Poirier, President of the French Motorcycling Federation: “It is a strong signal sent by the FIM, the FIM Europe and the organizer of the JuniorGP, Dorna, to allow us to host this series which constitutes the last step before accessing the world of Grand Prix and I would like to thank them for the confidence placed in us. Our policy of modernizing the speed course launched in 2022 through the Génération Vitesse program is bearing fruit since this season, we have never had so many riders at the start of this series. This policy of supporting our young talents towards the top of the pyramid is at the heart of our federal strategy. I would like to particularly thank Claude Michy and Serge Saulnier for having, from the outset of this project, fully adhered to and supported this event.”
Claude Michy, organizer of the French GP (PHA): "The FIM JuniorGP World Championship allows young hopefuls of motorcycling sport to demonstrate their talent. For young French riders, having a home event gives them the opportunity to race on their territory. This event was made possible thanks to the investment of the Magny-Cours circuit and is in line with the wishes of the president of the FFM. For our part, we are providing our collaboration through the Michelin Grand Prix de France Moto for the success of the event."
Serge Saulnier, Director of the Nevers Magny-Cours Circuit: "For around twenty years, the Nevers Magny-Cours Circuit, in partnership with the FIM and the FFM, has been one of the main players in motorcycling sport in France, with a round of the World Superbike and the multiplication of riding days intended for our biker friends. It is with this in mind and thanks to a close collaboration with Sébastien Poirier (FFM), Claude Michy (PHA) and Dorna, that we are proud to offer a new World Championship event at Magny-Cours. The JuniorGP represents an exceptional springboard for the entire French sector and our future talents."
Oscar Gallardo, FIM JuniorGP™ Sporting Director: “It is a pleasure to announce that JuniorGP will soon return to France to celebrate a standalone event for the first time. This new three-year agreement is a great move for the Championship, increasing its geographical reach, and great news for French motorcycling. A JuniorGP round at Magny-Cours offers a home race weekend in a key market for the sport and gives the French stars of tomorrow a great opportunity to showcase their talent on home turf – but on the world stage.”
