Xavi Vierge ended his time with Pata Maxus Yamaha with a strong performance at the WorldSBK season finale in Jerez, while Andrea Locatelli and the team turned their attention to 2027.
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Xavi Vierge brought his time with Pata Maxus Yamaha to a close with a determined performance at the final round of the 2026 FIM Superbike World Championship in Jerez, Spain. The Spaniard produced an impressive ride in the Superpole Race before fighting hard again in Race 2, ending his final weekend with the team on a positive note.
The championship finale was held under threatening skies, but despite light rain in the closing stages of Race 2, conditions remained dry enough for the race to finish without interruption.
Vierge Battles Into the Top Nine
Vierge enjoyed his strongest outing of the weekend in the morning’s Superpole Race. Starting outside the leading group, the Spaniard fought his way through the field and crossed the finish line in ninth place after making a decisive overtake on the final lap.
In Race 2, the #97 rider made another excellent start and spent much of the race battling inside the top nine. However, tyre wear over the 20-lap distance eventually took its toll, causing him to slip back to 12th position at the chequered flag.
Although the result fell short of the points he had hoped for, Vierge’s determination throughout the weekend reflected the professionalism and commitment he showed during his time with the Yamaha factory-supported squad.
Vierge Thanks the Team
Reflecting on his final race weekend with Pata Maxus Yamaha, Vierge said he was pleased with the team’s performance despite the difficult race conditions.
“It’s been a solid day, especially the Superpole Race, where we had really strong pace. I was able to fight inside the top nine, and the overtake on the last lap felt great. Race 2 was more difficult because tyre management over 20 laps is completely different, but I gave everything right to the end.”
Locatelli Looks Ahead to 2027
On the other side of the garage, Andrea Locatelli endured a difficult weekend at Jerez. The Italian struggled to find confidence through the circuit’s fast corners and finished 20th in the Superpole Race. Despite the setback, Locatelli recovered well in Race 2, climbing through the field to finish 16th after another determined ride.
The Italian acknowledged that Yamaha still has work to do over the winter but remains optimistic that ongoing development will help the team become more competitive in 2027.
“It definitely wasn’t an easy weekend. We struggled a lot in the fast corners, but we never stopped working. I believe Yamaha and I can make a step forward together, and we’ll continue pushing to improve for next season.”
Team Principal Praises Vierge’s Professionalism
Pata Maxus Yamaha Team Principal Paul Denning thanked Vierge for his commitment and dedication throughout his time with the team, describing the Spaniard as one of the easiest riders the squad has ever worked with.
Denning admitted it was disappointing that the partnership would come to an end despite the team’s excitement over welcoming Jack Miller for the 2027 season.
He also reaffirmed Yamaha’s commitment to returning to the front of the WorldSBK grid, revealing that the team will return to Jerez in four weeks for an important pre-season test featuring several new developments.
With new technical updates and revised Balance of Performance regulations coming into effect in 2027, Yamaha hopes to take significant steps forward ahead of the new campaign.
Yamaha Turns Its Focus to the Future
While the 2026 WorldSBK season proved challenging for Pata Maxus Yamaha, the team leaves Jerez determined to regroup and improve over the winter.
For Vierge, the race marked the end of a memorable chapter with the Yamaha squad, while for Locatelli and the team, attention has already shifted towards building a stronger package capable of fighting closer to the podium in 2027.
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