Age limits raised for motorbike series after teenage rider deaths

The updated regulations come after 19-year-old Jason Dupasquier was killed during Moto3 qualifying at Mugello in May; European Talent Cup rider Hugo Millán, 14, died at Aragon in July and Dean Berta Viñales, 15, lost his life racing in SSP300 at Jerez last month.

The new age limits were announced following a meeting of the Permanent Bureau, which includes the FIM and MotoGP promoter Dorna.

Some will be introduced in stages, with the minimum age for Talent Cups going up from 12 to 13 next year, and then 14 in 2023, with a limit of 30 competitors on the grid.

The Red Bull Rookies and Moto3 Junior limits will go up to 14 and 15 respectively from next year, although exceptions will be granted to riders who are already racing this year. At the same time, the SSP300 limit will increase to 16 years old.

From 2023, the Red Bull Rookies limit will increase to 15 and Moto3 Junior will go up to 16.

The age limit for all MotoGP championships will go up to 18, which will also apply to World Supersport 300.

Riders who are eligible for the 2021 and 2022 championships, who find themselves ruled out by the new age limits, will be granted exemptions to continue in the same championships.

Other safety improvements being introduced are mandatory airbags for all sprint circuit racing FIM championships. Work is also underway to improve chest and neck protection for riders who fall and are then hit by others on track.

A “near-instant” automatic warning system to alert riders to fallen competitors will be tested from next year with the aim of rolling it out to all championships, including Talent Cups.

Minimum age limit changes to FIM motorcycle championships

*Winner of Moto3 Junior and Red Bull Rookies championship will be able to enter Moto3 from 17