Supersport World Championship#WorldSSP Challenge

Supersport was introduced as a support class to the Superbike World Championship in 1990 as a European Championship. The series allows four-cylinder engines up to {{convert|600|cc}}, three-cylinder engines up to {{convert|675|cc}}, and twin-cylinder power plants up to {{convert|750|cc}}. In 1997 the championship became a "World Series" and the European title was given to the European Motorcycle Union's European Road Racing Championship. The full title Supersport World Championship was introduced in 1999.{{cite news|url=http://www.fim-live.com/en/article/110th-fim-anniversary-flash-back-1996-1999/|title=110th FIM anniversary – Flash Back 1996–1999|work=fim-live.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|date=8 December 2014|access-date=20 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224173938/http://www.fim-live.com/en/article/110th-fim-anniversary-flash-back-1996-1999/|archive-date=24 December 2014}} Supersport racing has also been one of the most popular classes of national racing for many years.

Competition in the championship is typically fierce, and season domination by a single competitor is unusual. The 2001 championship was particularly notable in this respect, the champion being Andrew Pitt who did not win a single race, but amassed a championship-winning total of points by finishing near the front of the field in almost every race.

{{update|date=January 2022}}

In 2012, to be eligible for Supersport World Championship, a motorcycle must satisfy FIM's homologation requirements and have a four-stroke engine in one of the following configurations:{{cite web|url=http://www.v2-fim-live.com/fileadmin/alfresco/6510004_Anglais.pdf|title=Road Racing FIM Superbike & Supersport World Championships & FIM Superstock Cup regulations 2012|work=v2-fim-live.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|access-date=8 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206134427/http://www.v2-fim-live.com/fileadmin/alfresco/6510004_Anglais.pdf|archive-date=6 February 2015}}

• Between {{convert|400|and|600|cc}} – 4 cylinders
• Between {{convert|600|and|800|cc}} – 3 cylinders
• Between {{convert|800|and|955|cc}} – 2 cylinders

As of 2023, the homologated motorcycles were Ducati Panigale V2, Honda CBR600RR, Kawasaki ZX-6R, MV Agusta F3 800, Suzuki GSX-R600, Suzuki GSX-R600, Triumph Street Triple 765RS and Yamaha YZF-R6;{{cite web|url=https://www.dmsb.de/de/motorradsport/strassensport/file/279387|title=Listing of FIM Homologated Motorcycles for 2023 (Updated 28 July)|work=fim-moto.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|date=28 Jul 2023|access-date=28 February 2024}} formerly homologated motorcycles include Bimota YB9, Ducati 748, Ducati 749, Honda CBR600F, MV Agusta F3 675, Triumph Daytona 600, Triumph Daytona 675, and Yamaha YZF600R.{{cite web|url=http://www.fim.ch/pressreleases/CP_99.03.18.htm|title=Superbike/Supersport World Championships: rules, time schedule, wild-card riders in Kyalami, list of homologated motorcycles|work=fim.ch|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|date=18 March 1999|access-date=20 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991011115739/http://www.fim.ch/pressreleases/CP_99.03.18.htm|archive-date=11 October 1999}}{{cite web|url=http://www.v2-fim-live.com/fileadmin/alfresco/Docs/f_4402.pdf|title=Listing of FIM homologated motorcycles for 2007|work=v2-fim-live.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|date=5 April 2007|access-date=20 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402120313/http://www.v2-fim-live.com/fileadmin/alfresco/Docs/f_4402.pdf|archive-date=2 April 2015}}

Supersport regulations are much tighter than in Superbikes. The chassis of a supersport machine must remain largely as standard, while engine tuning is possible but tightly regulated. For instance, the displacement capacity, bore and stroke must remain at the homologated size. Modifying the bore and stroke to reach class limits is not allowed. As in World Superbike, a control tyre is used. From 2020 onwards, the tyres no longer have to be road legal and therefore slicks are allowed.

A Supersport World Championship race takes place at almost every Superbike World Championship round. Starting positions are decided by the riders' fastest laps from two 45-minute qualifying sessions. Each race is approximately {{convert|100|km}} long. Typically, the race takes place between the two Superbike races.

The points system is the same for the riders' championship and the manufacturers' championship, but only the highest-finishing motorcycle by a particular manufacturer is awarded the points for the latter championship.

Riders from all over the world compete in World Supersport, mostly from Europe.

Several riders who were successful in World Supersport have moved on to high-level competitions, notably, Cal Crutchlow, Chaz Davies, and Chris Vermeulen, though others such as Fabien Foret and Kenan Sofuoğlu have spent several years in this championship. Notable female rider María Herrera entered a few races in World Supersport.

== WorldSSP Challenge ==

Starting in 2021, the World Supersport Challenge, a separate points-scoring competition was held at the European-rounds of the Supersport World Championship, run as a category within the main races. Previously, it was known as the European Supersport Cup.

In 2021, the title winner was Altogo Racing Yamaha’s Kevin Manfredi, for 2022 it was Bahattin Sofuoglu for factory MV Agusta, in 2023 Tom Booth-Amos won with the Kawasaki team Motozoo, and in 2024 Simone Corsi won with the Renzi Corse team.[https://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2023/FIM+WorldSSP+Challenge+ready+to+kick+off+who+is+joining+the+grid+from+Assen+onwards FIM WorldSSP Challenge ready to kick off: who is joining the grid from Assen onwards?] worldsbk.com, 12 April 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024[https://www.speedweek.com/amp/ssp/news/214438/Sieger-der-WorldSSP-Challenge-Booth-Amos-und-Motozoo.html?lang=en Winners of the WorldSSP Challenge: Booth-Amos and Motozoo] speedweek.com, 5 October 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024[https://www.visordown.com/news/racing/worldsbk/new-manufacturer-revealed-worldsbk-entry-lists New manufacturer revealed in WorldSBK entry lists] visordown.com, 19 December 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024

• Superbike racing
• Grand Prix motorcycle racing
• Isle of Man TT

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/ssp}}

{{Supersport World Championship}}

{{Main world championships}}

Category:Supersport racing

Category:Motorcycle road racing series

Category:World motorcycle racing series