Kawasaki has become the first manufacturer to win the manufacturers’ championship in the inaugural Sportbike World Championship season. The new series replaced World Supersport 300 in 2026, creating a new setting for the close-fought middleweight racing that had previously taken place in the smaller class.

Kawasaki entered the new championship with the ZX-6R 636 after moving away from the Ninja 400. The change has delivered a powerful competitive response: the ZX-6R 636 has dominated the season so far. Shigemi Tanaka, Managing Director of Kawasaki Motors Europe, points to the Kawasaki riders’ pole positions, fastest laps and race wins as key markers of that campaign.

The riders’ championship remains open

Kawasaki’s manufacturers’ crown is secured, but the season still has two major outcomes to settle. Team Prodina Kawasaki XCI is expected to win the teams’ championship, while the riders’ title will go to one of two ZX-6R 636 riders. David Salvador carries a narrow advantage over Xavier Artigas into the final round at Jerez.

The result builds on Kawasaki’s record in the former World Supersport 300 class, where its teams have won five titles and Kawasaki has taken seven manufacturers’ titles. The company’s recent progress in the larger Supersport and Superbike championships has been more difficult, with the Ducati Panigale V2, Yamaha R9 and ZXMoto 820RR-RS identified as particularly competitive machines in the Supersport field.