Indian Superbike League officially launched

The Indian Superbike League or ISBL was officially launched in Mumbai on March 18. The league, which has been sanctioned by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), aims to bring professional motorcycle racing to Indian shores, and the inaugural season of the ISBL is scheduled to take place by this year end, subject to operational readiness. Three rounds of the ISBL will be taking place, across the cities of Chennai, Bengaluru and Pune-Mumbai. Ducati will be one of the motorcycle suppliers for the ISBL. The Dhuleva Group, which is spearheaded by Avi Jain, is one of the key investors in the ISBL.

The ISBL will be a franchise-based league, featuring multiple motorcycle classes. These classes are namely the Pro Categories (featuring two classes), the Amateur Class, the Female Riders Class and the Rookie Class. ISBL claims that over 400 riders have already signed up for the league. While the ecosystem for four-wheeler motorsport in India has a relatively structured pathway for drivers to obtain necessary experience and later on transition to the international stage, similar opportunities in motorcycle racing are limited – and the ISBL intends to fill this gap.

The ISBL also aims to be a professional platform for Indian riders to develop their skills so that they can gradually progress to international motorcycle racing championships such as MotoGP. Most importantly, the ISBL is aiming to make a cultural shift when it comes to motorcycling in India, moving from the streets to a professional and controlled racetrack environment which is ultimately safer and better-suited for Indian riders to work on their skill levels.

The launch event for the ISBL included notable figures from the Indian motorsport scene, such as Arindam Ghosh, president of FMSCI, Vicky Chandhok, council member and former president of FMSCI, M.R. Dastur, chairman of FMSCI 2-Wheeler Racing Commision, Bipul Chandra, MD of Ducati India and Sirish Vissa, director, ISBL.

Pranav Bakre, director, ISBL, commented on the vision of the league by saying, “The Indian Superbike League is designed to be a transformative force in Indian motorsports. It is aimed at establishing a dynamic ecosystem constructed to empower riders, technicians, and support staff with a robust and sustainable platform to develop their skills, push boundaries, and form lasting careers.” Bakre went on to add that, “ISBL is committed to producing a world-class sporting spectacle, uplifting the stature of Indian motorsports on the global stage while harnessing a culture of excellence, innovation, high-octane entertainment and world-class content creation.”

The Indian Superbike League is the perfect opportunity for Indian riders who want to get into motorsport, as the league aims to bring a new level of professionalism into the sport, along with the required infrastructure to India. The ISBL will also help nurture talent of Indian riders in motorsport, potentially leading them to international motorsport championships such as the MotoGP – and it is hard not to get excited about that!