Xavi Vierge delivered a spirited performance in the Superpole Race, fighting and overtaking right down to the final corner as he gave his all in his last event with the team, in Round 12 of the 2026 FIM Superbike World Championship at Jerez, Spain.
The 2026 FIM Superbike World Championship drew to a close with the weather very much in the spotlight, all eyes on the rain clouds threatening overhead. In the end, only a few drops fell in the closing stages of Race 2 – not enough to force a flag-to-flag – allowing the season to reach its conclusion out on track.
Vierge got his day off to a flying start in the morning’s Superpole Race, carving his way forward to cross the line in P9 after a battling ride capped by an overtake on the very last lap. In the afternoon, the #97 made another excellent getaway and ran inside the top nine for much of Race 2, but having pushed his tyres hard to hang with the group, he eventually came home P12, scrapping within that same battle to the flag.
It was a fitting way to bring the curtain down on Vierge’s time with Pata Maxus Yamaha. The Spaniard leaves the squad after a season defined by relentless effort, commitment and professionalism, departing with the respect and best wishes of everyone in the garage.
On the other side of the box, Locatelli found the morning harder going, struggling for his best feeling in the Superpole Race – particularly through the faster corners – on his way to P20. The Italian turned things around in the afternoon, recovering strongly in Race 2 to climb into the group fighting for points and taking the flag in P16. The work for the #55 and his crew continues next month, with a return to the very same circuit for testing as attention turns firmly to 2027.
There was a thrilling conclusion to the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship, too, with both Crescent Yamaha riders on the podium. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) broke clear to fight for victory, missing out by less than two tenths of a second to finish second and cap her season as championship runner-up, while Chloe Jones (Monster Energy Crescent Yamaha) returned to the rostrum in third after a daring last-corner pass on 2026 Champion Maria Herrera.
FULL SUPERPOLE RACE RESULTS
FULL RACE 2 RESULTS
Xavi Vierge – SPRC: P9 / Race 2: P12
“It’s been a solid day, especially the Superpole Race, where we had really strong pace. I ran the normal race tyre and was able to make a good comeback, fighting inside the top nine, which is always nice because it means starting the long race from the first three rows – and the overtake on the last lap felt great too. We knew Race 2 would be hard, because managing the tyre over 20 laps is very different to 10. I made a good start and was there with the guys, but lap by lap I had to use the tyres too much to stay with them, and unfortunately I began to drop the pace. Even so, I gave everything right to the end. The result doesn’t reflect the work we’ve done all year, but we close the season with a solid day. I want to thank the Pata Maxus Yamaha team for all their hard work this year, and wish them every success for the future.”
Andrea Locatelli – SPRC: P20 / Race 2: P16
“It definitely wasn’t an easy weekend – I struggled a lot in the fast corners. We kept working to find a good feeling with the bike and to improve in that area, but it wasn’t easy. The season is over and I’m not happy to end it like this, but, as always, I gave my best and tried to do everything I could. We know we need to try a different direction and some different developments to move forward, build confidence and make a step for next year. I believe we can do that together: Yamaha believes in me and I believe in them, so we’ll keep pushing in this direction, keep working to find a good feeling and keep improving. Last year I was here fighting for P3 in the championship, so I know I can do it. We’ll give our very best for a massive step forward next season.”
Paul Denning – Team Principal, Pata Maxus Yamaha:
“This last race rounds out what has been a tough season for the Pata Maxus Yamaha squad – but one with positive signs and a huge amount of motivation to take forward into 2027. On behalf of everyone at Yamaha, and of course within this very close-knit team, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank every single one of our partners, who are the absolute lifeblood of this project. I also want to make it very clear that Yamaha’s and the team’s commitment to getting back to the podium fight is total, at every level.
Equally, I’d like to thank Xavi Vierge for being the most dedicated professional we could have wished for this year – probably the easiest rider to work with we’ve ever had. Despite the excitement of Jack Miller’s arrival to the team, it’s a real disappointment that we’re not able to continue together with Xavi, and we wish him every success for the future – he knows the door will always be wide open should the chance to work together come again. Thanks also to the team and to the crew – we return here to Jerez in four weeks’ time to begin the 2027 season with a very important test, with Yamaha bringing a lot of new material. These developments – alongside the significantly changed Balance of Performance regulations for 2027 – mean we are attacking the new season with renewed commitment and a positive approach aimed at vastly improved results.”
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