WorldSSP: Ten Kate leaves Yamaha for QJ Motor in 2027
The newsroomUpdated on October 21, 20263 minTen Kate Racing will leave Yamaha at the end of 2026 and race with QJ Motor in WorldSSP in 2027; Can Öncü stays and Zonta van den Goorbergh is the second rider.
Key point
After 2026, Yamaha and Ten Kate Racing part ways: the Dutch team moves to Chinese brand QJ Motor, with Can Öncü and, according to Speedweek, Zonta van den Goorbergh.
The WorldSSP landscape is changing: Ten Kate Racing will leave Yamaha at the end of the 2026 season and race with Chinese manufacturer QJ Motor from 2027. Racesport.nl reports that Yamaha and the Dutch team are ending their collaboration after 2026, while Corsedimoto says a multi-year agreement has already been signed.
A deal signed during the closing stretch of the season
According to Corsedimoto, Yamaha was informed during the Estoril weekend. The move came together in September: QJ, looking for a new partner, spoke with several teams at Magny-Cours and contacted Ten Kate the following week. A delegation visited Nieuwleusen, the team's base, and a Dutch delegation toured the Chinese factory.
- Team: Ten Kate, based in Nieuwleusen, has twelve Supersport world titles, nine with Honda and three with Yamaha, according to Speedweek.
- Yamaha titles: Dominique Aegerter in 2021 and 2022, then Stefano Manzi in 2025, per Corsedimoto.
- Precedent: Evan Bros moved to Chinese brand ZX-Moto a year earlier and finished second in the championship in its first season.
The riders for 2027
Can Öncü, runner-up last year on a Yamaha and third in the 2026 standings before the Jerez finale, stays with Ten Kate. According to Speedweek, the second seat goes to Zonta van den Goorbergh, 20, who has raced in Moto2 since 2022 and whose best result is fifth at Motegi in 2024. Raffaele De Rosa, with QJ for three years, loses his seat, per Corsedimoto.
What QJ Motor is preparing
The brand, part of the Geely Group, made its official debut in 2024. Its SRK 800 RS scored five points in 2026, according to Speedweek. QJ plans an update of that bike for 2027 and a new Supersport machine for 2028. The partnership with the Puccetti subsidiary ends at Jerez, because that outfit also ran the works Kawasakis. Corsedimoto adds that QJ is building its own racing department in China and has Superbike in its sights in the longer term.
What remains to be confirmed
The sources consulted give no financial details and no date for an official presentation. Racesport.nl does report that the end of the collaboration with Yamaha after 2026 is settled.
Frequently asked questions
When does Ten Kate leave Yamaha?
At the end of the 2026 season: the team is due to race with QJ Motor from 2027, according to Corsedimoto and Speedweek.
Who will ride for Ten Kate in 2027?
Can Öncü stays with the team. According to Speedweek, the second seat goes to Zonta van den Goorbergh, 20, currently in Moto2.
Why is QJ Motor changing partner?
According to Corsedimoto, the Puccetti subsidiary running QJ also ran works Kawasakis, and the workload became excessive; QJ wants to invest more in order to win.
Sources
- Corsedimoto — Ten Kate leaves Yamaha for QJ Motor
- Speedweek — Second rider of the new Ten Kate QJ team confirmed
- Racesport.nl — Yamaha and Ten Kate Racing end their collaboration
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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