Motorsports as a contemporary sport hasn’t received its due recognition in India. Formula One, the premiere car racing championship, was introduced in the country in 2011 but got cancelled prematurely after three seasons. Then MotoGP, the flagship motorcycle racing championship was launched in 2023 and we are still awaiting for a second season, if and when that happens.
The latest development will bring some joy for motorsport enthusiasts in the country. The much-awaited Indian Super Bike League (ISBL) has been officially announced in India. Sanctioned by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the new league is bound to usher a new era of motorcycle racing in the country.
The inaugural season is scheduled to take place around the end of this year, subject to operational readiness. It will be organised in three rounds across Chennai, Bengaluru, and Pune-Mumbai. Further details regarding the competition will be revealed in due course. The series will showcase a grid composed entirely of Indian riders, providing them with a platform to gain essential experience before advancing to international racing.
Indian Super Bike League format
Like the Indian Premiere League (IPL) in cricket and the Indian Super League (ISL) in football, the ISBL will be a franchise-based competition. will feature multiple motorcycle classes alongside exemplary racing infrastructure. The ISBL envisions establishing a structured pathway for riders to demonstrate their potential on the national stage. The league will have each franchise competing across five categories: Pro, Amateur, Female Riders and Rookie.
Ducati has been confirmed as one of the bike suppliers in this competition. Highlighting the brand’s role in this project, Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India, commented, “As a supplier of motorcycles for ISBL, we see this as an opportunity to contribute to the evolution of motorcycle racing in India. ISBL’s focus on performance, technology, safety and rider development aligns seamlessly with our philosophy and we look forward to supporting the league in its mission to build a strong foundation for Indian motorsports.”
Registrations for the competition are now open online at the ISPL official website. The federation claims that already 400 participants have registered for the inaugural season of the ISPL. The league will collaborate with established riding academies across the country to select and categorise riders for different classes.
Indian Super Bike League objective
ISBL asserts that it will provide a professional platform for Indian riders to hone their skills, compete at a high level, and steadily advance to renowned international championships like MotoGP and World Superbike. In the initial few years, the focus will be directed towards developing Indian talent, paving the way for the country to produce its own motorsport heroes.
In the long run, ISBL aims to stand alongside elite racing series such as the British Superbike and Japanese Superbike—competitions built on a foundation of strong homegrown talent. Its primary vision is to cultivate Indian riders, technicians, and crew members, fostering a comprehensive ecosystem that creates sustainable career opportunities within the sport.
