Life just keeps getting better for South Australian fans of motorcycle racing, with an annual round of the global FIM Superbike World Championship moving to SA from Victoria on a multi-year deal.
The news comes after February’s announcement that Adelaide would host the Australian MotoGP from 2027.
The Superbike event will be held at the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park at The Bend for the championship's 41st season from 2028, and is expected to attract thousands of interstate and international visitors.
Shell V-Power Motorsport Park Managing Director Dr Sam Shahin said the announcement secured the long-term future of one of the world's premier motorcycle racing championships for South Australia and represents another milestone in a vision that began when The Bend opened in 2018.
"Securing WorldSBK is a significant achievement for The Bend and today's announcement marks a historic day for motorsport and for South Australia," Dr Shahin said.
"From the outset, our vision has been to create a proud facility capable of attracting the world's leading motorsport categories and hosting the highest levels of international competition.
"A decade on, we celebrate a major milestone; WorldSBK is coming. This championship is set to bring the top motorcycle manufacturers, teams and riders to South Australia, creating a powerful platform that will showcase our venue, our passionate motorsport community and our state to a global audience."
WorldSBK and MotoGP are the two pinnacles of world championship motorcycle racing, both sanctioned by Motorcycling Australia and FIM - the global governing body.
MotoGP is contested on purpose-built prototypes, while WorldSBK is the world's premier production-based championship — raced on heavily modified versions of the Yamaha, Ducati, Honda, BMW and Kawasaki superbikes sold in showrooms.
These bikes reach speeds approaching 340km/h which is faster than an Australian Supercar and within striking distance of a Formula 1 car.
WorldSBK Sporting Director Gregorio Lavilla said the move to Shell V-Power Motorsport Park represented an exciting new chapter for the championship.
"We are delighted to announce The Bend as the future home of the Australian Round of the FIM Superbike World Championship," he said.
"Australia has always held a special place within WorldSBK, and it remains an important market for our championship, manufacturers, teams and fans.
"The Bend is an impressive venue with exceptional facilities and a strong commitment to motorsport. We believe it provides an outstanding platform for WorldSBK and we are excited to begin this journey together from 2028."
Further details will be released over the coming months, but fans are encouraged to register their interest at thebend.com.au to be the first to hear about event and ticketing information for the first Australian Round in February 2028.
