Action returns to the Algarve this weekend as Xavi Vierge and Andrea Locatelli line up for the second round of the 2026 FIM Superbike World Championship with Pata Maxus Yamaha at Portimão, from 27-29 March.
“The Rollercoaster” also known officially as the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, has seen some incredible fights in the WorldSBK category – with Yamaha’s official riders in the mix. Locatelli has enjoyed three podiums at the venue since 2021, and has always been a strong contender.
Both he and teammate Vierge found confidence in a pre-event test two weeks ago, working with their respective crews to “reset” following the first round of the season in Phillip Island at the end of February.
Joining Pata Maxus Yamaha for the first time in 2026 will be the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship, with Beatriz Neila and Chloe Jones. The pair completed a one-day test earlier this week and Neila stormed to third overall picking up where she left off after taking the title fight to the end of the season in Jerez last year, while Jones got down to work with her new team for the first time.
WorldSBK Friday starts with Free Practice 1 and 2 at 10:20 and 15:00 WET with warm and sunny weather predicted, while WorldWCR begins with Free Practice at 9:00 and the first Superpole qualifying of the weekend at 13:30.
Xavi Vierge, Pata Maxus Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team:
“I’m super excited to be back racing, especially after the test we had at Portimão a couple of weeks ago where we found some good positives to take forward. It gave us something a little extra that we needed after Phillip Island. Super happy and looking forward to jumping on my R1, to start working with the team again on track and continue growing the performance. Round 1 was difficult, but we arrive together super motivated with the batteries recharged to make a good weekend.”
Andrea Locatelli, Pata Maxus Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team:
“Looking forward to the second round of the season, for sure it was not an easy start for us in Phillip Island, but I want to be positive – I know we need to work to improve and close the gap quickly to the front group. We know that when everything is working well, we are able to do it and I trust in this. We’ve missed a bit of riding in general from the winter, but we keep working. Portimão has always been a good circuit for me and I’ve shown my potential here in the past. We will try to do our best like always, and let’s see what happens. I believe that we can do well and I’m happy to be back on track this weekend.”
Beatriz Neila, Ampito Crescent Yamaha (WorldWCR):
“The positive of the test on Monday was that I worked super hard, we tried a lot of things on the bike with new tyres and used tyres. I’m proud because I feel like I made a big step – I didn’t do any testing here before this day, and from the morning I improved a lot and in the end I’m happy. I think it will be a close fight at the front like Jerez last year, which will be good! My focus will be to stay calm in the races, wait for the right moments, to have fun, enjoy and also try to win!”
Chloe Jones, Monster Energy Crescent Yamaha (WorldWCR):
“Our one-day test at Portimão, done! A positive test in the sunshine really, we changed a lot of things and tried different settings. We’ve got a good base to go into the weekend with, a bit of work to do to get where I want to be – but we’ve got more sessions before the main event on Saturday and Sunday – so I’ll keep working hard with the Monster Energy Crescent Yamaha team. I can’t thank them enough for the work they did on Monday and I’m looking forward now to the first WorldWCR race weekend of the new season.”
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