CFMoto has acquired a 51 percent controlling stake in Kalex Engineering, the German chassis manufacturer that supplies the majority of teams in the Moto2 World Championship. This move effectively establishes CFMoto as a manufacturer in Moto2 and marks a clear step forward in its racing ambitions.
- Kalex has claimed 13 of 16 Moto2 riders' championships since 2010
- Currently supplies chassis to 20 of 28 riders on the 2026 Moto2 grid
CFMoto acuires majority stake in Kalex
Kalex has secured 13 straight Moto2 constructors' titles from 2013 to 2025
Kalex Engineering entered the Moto2 championship when the class was introduced in 2010 and won its first title the very next year with Stefan Bradl. Since then, the German manufacturer has built an unmatched record in the intermediate class, winning the constructors’ title every year from 2013 to 2025. While Italian chassis builder Boscoscuro ended Kalex’s individual riders’ title streak with Ai Ogura clinching the championship in 2024, Kalex still secured the constructors’ crown. It’s this depth of expertise that CFMoto will be looking to tap into with this new partnership.
According to the source, Kalex co-founders Alex Baumgärtel and Klaus Hirsekorn will retain the remaining 49 percent stake, split equally between them, and both will continue in active management and technical roles. The combined operation will be led by CFMoto Vice President Zhiyong Chen and Sebastian Sekira, who previously headed engine development at KTM.
What does this mean for the team in the MotoGP Championship?
Kalex has achieved most of its success in Moto2, but its capabilities extend to the premier class as well. The company supplied the chassis for the Honda HRC MotoGP team when Marc Marquez and Joan Mir were teammates in 2023. Late last year, CFMoto was reportedly exploring a takeover of KTM’s MotoGP racing division, including its factory slots and riders Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder, in a deal valued at around 100 million euros. However, those talks ultimately fell through.
The timing of the Kalex acquisition also aligns with the major technical regulation changes set for MotoGP in 2027, including the introduction of the new 850cc engine limit. While these changes could open the door for new manufacturers, it’s very unlikely that CFMoto – despite Kalex’s involvement – will have a fully developed machine ready by then. Sourcing an engine from KTM remains a possibility, but even that would take time to materialise, especially with rival manufacturers already deep into development.
In the near term, the impact will likely be seen in Moto2, where CFMoto competes with the CFMoto Inde Aspar Team – a contract in place until 2031. With 20 of the 28 bikes on the 2026 grid running Kalex chassis, the Chinese brand now has a strong proving ground for technologies that could eventually make their way into both production motorcycles – such as the recently unveiled V4 1000 SR-RR – and a potential future MotoGP project.
Source: Sky Sport (Italia)