Andrea Locatelli and Xavi Vierge are back on track again this weekend pushing for strong results for Pata Maxus Yamaha in Round 5 of the 2026 FIM Superbike World Championship at Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic, from 15-17 May.
Locatelli has claimed two podiums in Most since joining the premier class in 2021, and aside from two DNFs, he has always finished in the top ten – and mostly inside the top six. The rider from Bergamo enjoys the short layout and has often been in the fight with the front group.
For Vierge, the circuit will be another new venue to discover with the Official Yamaha R1 WorldSBK and he hopes to return to the top six as he continues to build on the strong base from winter testing, where the Spanish rider demonstrated that the bike suits his smooth riding style.
Cooler temperatures and the potential for rain awaits at the Czech Round this week, where the WorldSBK schedule starts with Free Practice 1 on Friday morning from 10:35 (CEST) and Free Practice 2 from 15:00. Fans should take note of an earlier Race 1 start time on Saturday of 14:00.
Andrea Locatelli, Pata Maxus Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team:
“The big Race 2 high-side in Balaton was a pity because the “good trend” has been coming since Assen, my feeling was positive and we are working hard to return to the fight. We will try to do our best in Most this weekend, we know we need to close the gap to the front but I am happy with my confidence on the bike and hope we can keep improving in this direction. I had some “road rash” injuries after the crash which are annoying and a bit uncomfortable, but these are healing now and I feel ready to go. Let’s see also what will happen with the weather for the Czech Round as this looks quite unpredictable! Anyway, I am looking forward to this race and then we will also have a test in Misano after the race weekend, then Aragon at the end of the month. With Yamaha and the team working hard to improve, the plan is clearly to try and make another step forward.”
Xavi Vierge, Pata Maxus Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team:
“After a very tough weekend in Balaton, I’m so happy to be back racing – to be back working with my team and my R1, and to discover another new track with this bike. Most is a circuit that I really like, it’s a special one with a nice fan atmosphere watching from the embankments and enjoying the paddock in WorldSBK. Excited to start again on Friday morning, I believe we will be able to recover the feeling with the bike to be as strong as we were in the beginning of the season. I am ready to push for good results and build on the strong base that we had from pre-season testing and the confidence shown in the first three race events.”
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