INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

THE MOTOSTUDENT
COMPETITION

The greatest international university engineering challenge on two wheels.

The Origin of the Challenge

Born in the 2009-2010 season in Aragón, Spain, MotoStudent has consolidated itself as the most prestigious university motorcycling competition worldwide. It is a biannual challenge where teams from all over the planet design, develop, and manufacture a real racing prototype. In the latest edition (VIII, October 2025), over 86 teams from 20 countries and more than 1,000 students participated.

The competition is organized and promoted by the Moto Engineering Foundation (MEF). This non-profit entity is based at the TechnoPark MotorLand technology park in Alcañiz.

The main objective of the MEF is to strengthen ties between the academic world and the motor industry fabric. For students, MotoStudent is not just a university project; it is the first real immersion into the rigor, stress, and innovation of the high-competition motorsport industry.

Learn more at motostudent.com
MotoStudent starting grid

The Two Categories

The competition evolves, offering two paths to elite engineering.

MotoStudent EFuel

MotoStudent EFuel

Our premier class. Combustion powered by 100% renewable fuel.

Originally known as Petrol, this category was rebranded as EFuel starting from the VIII edition (2024/2025), reflecting the competition's commitment to sustainability through the use of synthetic and renewable fuels.

Prototypes are developed around a 250cc 4-stroke internal combustion engine, inspired by the regulations of the Moto3 world championship.

In the latest edition (VIII MotoStudent, October 2025), the Basic Kit supplied by the organization included the KTM 250 SX-F engine, rims, and braking system. The rules are strict and completely forbid any structural alteration to the crankcase or the mounting points of this engine.

The real engineering challenge relies entirely on the manufacture of the chassis, swingarm, subframe, complete aerodynamics, telemetry, and intake/exhaust systems. Historically, this is where MOTO-MAQLAB-UC3M stands out for its constant innovation, achieving technological milestones such as the design and manufacture of the first carbon fiber tubular chassis in the history of the competition.

Motor KTM Petrol

MotoStudent Electric

Introduced in 2016 in response to the sustainable mobility revolution in the motor industry, this category challenges students to manufacture 100% electric prototypes.

The organization supplies an electric motor (typically a permanent magnet synchronous motor) and an Insulation Monitoring Device (IMD) for safety reasons. However, the engineering challenge remains monumental, as teams must design, size, and assemble their own high-voltage battery packs and their thermal and electronic management systems (BMS).

The Electric category requires future engineers to master not only motorcycle dynamics but also energy flow, inverter programming, and the extreme safety demanded by high-competition electrical systems.

MotoStudent Electric prototypes

MS1 Phase: The Industrial Project

MotoStudent forces teams to behave like real automotive companies. According to the new 2026/2027 regulations, in the MS1 Phase (600 points), the competition evaluates the project from a purely technical and business viability perspective before the bikes even hit the asphalt.

The entire MOTO-MAQLAB-UC3M team on the MS1 stage
Team Plan 75 pts
Involves the team organization, strategy, and initial project planning.
Product Def. 100 pts
Thoroughly defining the prototype concept, design requirements, and performance targets.
Innovation 150 pts
Rewards risk and creativity. Teams must present unprecedented solutions in aerodynamics or materials.
CAD & Drawings 60 pts
Complete virtual validation of the prototype through rigorous CAD design before manufacturing.
Economical Plan 75 pts
Must present a realistic business plan to manufacture a serial run, carefully justifying costs.
Pitch Presentation 80 pts
A commercial exhibition in a startup format aimed at convincing potential investors.
Final Event 60 pts
The final and definitive defense of the project before the technical jury at MotorLand.
MS1 Lamination

MS2 Phase: Dynamic Tests and Race

After months of hard work in the workshop, the teams travel with their manufactured prototype to the grand finale at the FIM MotorLand Aragón Circuit. Here is where the motorcycle faces the real world during the MS2 Phase (540 maximum points).

MS7 Tests
Scrutineering Req.
Mandatory safety inspection. If scrutineering is not passed, the bike doesn't race.
Test 1: Brake 90 pts
Evaluates the system's capacity to stop the motorcycle in the shortest possible distance.
Test 2: Gymkhana 70 pts
A tight cone circuit specially designed to evaluate the chassis geometry and overall agility.
T3 & T4: Accel / Vmax 120 pts
Straight-line timed tests to measure pure power (90 pts) and transmission efficiency (30 pts).
Test 5: Regularity 50 pts
Evaluates the rider's and bike's capacity to maintain a consistent lap pace.
T6 & T7: Fast Lap 60 pts
Rewards one-lap speed: Pole Position (30 pts) and Best Race Lap (30 pts).
Test 8: Race Result 150 pts
The climax. Official grid speed race testing reliability, strategy, and the rider's skills.
Dynamic tests at MotorLand

WANT TO EXPERIENCE THE TRACK CHALLENGE?

If you study at UC3M and want to design, build, and compete in MotoStudent, recruitment for the new season is open.

JOIN THE TEAM →