Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) was back onboard his CBR1000RR-R machine at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto after testing on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Spanish rider was joined by Honda test riders Tommy Bridewell and Tetsuta Nagashima as Vierge tested with a view of the final round of the season at the same circuit, with new components for the #97 to try which gave a small step.

Vierge, who will leave Honda at the end of the 2025 season, completed 53 laps during half-a-day of testing on Wednesday which was held under scorching conditions as the sun blazed in the south of Spain, with a best time of 1’38.475s on Day 2. His time on the second day matched the fastest time set on Day 1 by Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), while the Spanish star was also a second quicker on Wednesday morning.

Honda were testing for the season finale in around a month’s time but also on general setup work on the CBR1000RR-R machine that will hope both at Jerez and the two rounds at Aragon and Estoril proceeding it. There was also a new swingarm for Vierge to try and tested electronics as he strived to make gains.

Discussing his test, Vierge said: “It’s been a productive test. We had a few things to try and so we focused on those. A new swingarm immediately provided better sensation. I noticed improved contact at the rear, which helps me stop the bike and enter corners more effectively. I think we still need to further adapt the bike setup to use it to its full potential, and our weak point remains corner exit. That said, it’s a small but positive step forward. We were lucky to find very good conditions, and the track offered good grip. But very high temperatures in the afternoon made it difficult to gather useful feedback, and when we return here in October, conditions are likely to be different. We therefore finished up what has been a very useful session at lunchtime on day two.”

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